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THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


. OR • 

A HISTORICAL NARRATIVE OF 
THE BARBARIAN AGE. 


A Scientitic Discovery. 



Where wealth accumulates and men decay; 
Princes and lords may flourish or may fade, 

T breath can make them, as a breath has made; 
But a bold peasantry, their country’s pride. 
When once destroyed can never be supplied.” 




SEATTLE WASH. 

S. Burg, Publisher. 




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INTRODUCTION 

ALLEGORY is an educator when a treatise fails — 
many people will read an allegory who will shrink 
from a treatise; for that reason I have prefered 
the allegorical style in presenting to the public this 
valuable educational work. 

Thousands of authors and scientists during the past 
twenty or thirty centuries, have pondered upon the 
most vital j^roblem to humanity — the question of social 
science — which up to this time, has not been thorough- 
ly and successfully solved. Nothing has been spared 
to make this work a thorough educator on automatic 
social progress. 

I wish to impress upon the reader that through uni- 
on only can anyting of a great magnitude be made a 
success; for this reason our forefathers used the folow- 
ing motto: “United we stand, divided we fall”. 

The inventive idea of this book, is like all other in- 
ventions — the combination of ideas, which makes any 
invention practical and perfect. All illustrations and 
analogies are made in the plainest i)ossible language; 
so as to make it clear and comprehensive for the com- 
mon readers, as well as for the more educated ones. 

It is the duty of every humane citizen to study this 
scientific question thoroughly, as it is the question in- 
volving posterity as well as the present generation. 

Hoping in all sincerity that the reader will scan 
this work judiciously, impartially, and conscientiously, 
I will send it forth on its own merit. 

The Author. 



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i . . 


PBOLOGUE 


have the greatest respect for the brare work of 
Christopher Columbus, yet it would contradict 
historical knowledge to award him the full credit 
for the discovery of America. The Western Hemis- 
phere was discovered by the Noi'semen, A. D. 985 — 
known in those days as ‘‘The Vikings'’ . 

For material reasons, the whole matter was left dor- 
mant for a long period of years, until Columbus paid a 
visit to Iceland — the place where the descendants of 
the old Vikines then resided — where he obtained some 
documents, which gave him information relating to the 
route and distance. This was the cause for his brave, 
and successful undertaking, which resulted in the re- 
discovery of Aim i ca October 12 A. D. 1492. 


Columbus, however; was the first known European 
who successfulh" crossed the Atlantic Ocean in a due 
westerly direction. The old Viking’s route being, from 
Norway to Iceland, thence crossing Denmark Strait to 
Greenland, and following the coast to Davis Strait, 
thence crossing it, and following the coast of Labrador 


to Nova Scotia. 

Wonderful, as it may seem to the present generation, 
that the people in the Viking's and the Columbus’ days, 
had no knowledge of the Earth being spherical, nor of 
its motion either in space or around its own axis. 

The solar system was first discovered by Pythagoras 
500 B. C. It was revived by Copernicus A. D. 1532; 
but denounced by the hypocritical priestcraft — not 
being in accordance with the Bible, or rel gious doct- 


PROLOGUE 


6 


rines. A. D. 1696 it was satisfactorily proven, and the 
fact successfully established, by Newton — the discoverer 
of the law of gravitation — after which time it was 
circulated as common knowledge. The intention, is to 
prove by this, that superstition h^s ^had the precedence 
over philosophy all through' the ages of history; but 
those conditions are fast being overcome, through the 
scientific advancement of the present generation. 

I have now shown two notable discoveries, in which 
elapsed, in one case 500 and in the other 2200 years 
from their origination to their developments. The sci- 
entific discovery which I will now unfold to the judici- 
ous reader was known prior to history. It was revived 
by M()S(‘S, Clirist, and others, who either were ad- 
judged outlaws, or martyred, for advocating the same 
cause, namely: the moral rights of humanity! This, 
like all discoveries of any great consequence, is slow 
in progress, by reason of formidable obstructions both 
natural and artificial, yet for all that, like the mighty 
avalanch, when thoroughly mature, it will come as sud- 
den as a thunder-bolt; and no superstition nor prejudice 
shall be able to resist its force. 

There is no contention about something being wrong 
with our social system; where we differ is about the 
r<m dy. If* a man is seriously ill, he will accept 
almost any remedy, recommended. But if the human 
social system is in danger of moitification or decay, 
man 'ariU accept no remedy. 

“Knowledge is power.” “To remain ignorant is to 
remain a slave.” 

I will now proceed with my allegorical narrative and, 
trust to the conscientiousness of the reader: 


The Light of Eden. 


fiy Swan Bttbo. 

CHAPTER I 

W HEN I left America on my adventure I was 
twenty-six years old. I had visited every 
known civilized country on the globe. My 
parents were wealthy — being lieirs to extensive tracts 
of very valuable lands near the suburbs of the city of 
Boston; besides being owners of large blocks of interest- 
bearing securities; and their income derived through 
ground rents and interest was enormous. Money was 
at my service whenever I wished to use it. My under- 
takings could be limited only through the failure of my 
own ingenuity in conceiving and executing them. 

In my younger days I gratified my love for specula- 
tion and gain of riches, by taking active part in several 
wall street operations and western “land booming’'. I 
soon became a prominent member of the “National 
Brokers Association”. 

I was also fond of adventure and discoveries, and 
spent a good deal of my time in the mountains, climb- 
ing their snow-crested peaks and exploring the weird 
recesses of their canons and caves. 

One evening, as I sat alone in my room, reading the 
account of a mammoth diamond discovery in Africa, an 
idea struck me, which was the happy thought of my life, 


s 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


and aB soon as it dawned upon me I resolved to carry 
it out at any cost. 

Not that the idea was by any means new, however, 
I resolved to undertake an extensive exploration of 
Africa and the unexplored regions of Asia. 

Two of my friendsf'lvho shared' my innate love of 
adventure and discoveries, agreed to become my com 
pan ions, and we immediately set about our preparations. 

‘•El Dorado” was the name we adopted for our selec- 
ted cruiser. She was a clipper-built ship and rigged for 
a fast sailer, as she really was. Her keel was deep and 
her bow as sharp as a carpenter’s axe. Her spars wert 
light, she carried no cargo, and c#uld cut through the 
blue, white-capped waves like a meteor through space. 

Of the numberless pirate-brigs, that gave her chase, 
none ever succeeded in getting within gun-shot. 

We had been out a long while, having been driven 
from our course several times by trmendous gales, and 
it was about time we should see some part of the Afri- 
can coast. One day there was unusual warmth aboard 
ship, a lookout was placed in the maintop to sight land. 
The sun’s rays poured down upon the deck with such 
force as to start the tar and paint. All the crew were 
stripped to the waist, and the captain even, had thrown 
aside the pea-jacket, which he always wore. 

Everything upon deck was quiet, and I was sitting in 
the shadow of the fo-castle reading a magazine, when 
the first mate, standing by the lee-rail, got word from the 
lookout. From my position I could not hear what was 
said, but I saw the mate level his glass at the distant 
horizon. Out of curiosity I sprung to the rigging and 
gazed in the direction indicated. Forming a half-circle 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


9 


on tlie horizon and midway between the sky and water 
was a hazy line of a dull yellowish color. I had never 
been in those waters before and was therefore ignorant 
ot the atmospherical signs peculiar to that clime. Natu- 
rally supposing it to be the coast-line which we were 
expecting, I returned to my reading, and did not again 
pause in it until I became suddenly aware that it wa» 
growing cold. 

The sun was just past the meridian and the pheno- 
menon I was at a loss to account for. The air seemed 
to grow more chilly every minute and observing my 
companions about the deck with their heavy pea-j ekets 
on, I bethought myself of mine, and shivering, desc n- 
ded into the cabin to get it. I was surprised upt n reap- 
pearing on deck, to hear Captain Martin give orders to 
double-reef the foretop-gallant sail. 

What did it mean? I asked myself this, taking in sail 
with a cloudless sky and a chipper breeze. I received an 
answer a little later, when a breeze as cold as winter 
whistled through the rigging and we pitched heavilj’^ 
along in ^ terrible choppy sea. The sun had become 
obscured by a curious haze and the atmosphere was 
growing dark. 

Tlie faint yellowish light I had observed on the hori- 
zon SCI 111 (‘d to be growing nearer and more distinct. 
The first mate, Bill Harris, was standing by the binnacle 
light and I went over to his side. 

‘‘Bill’’ said I, “are we going to have a squall ?” 

“A squall !” he echoed. “I should say we was. If we 
get out of this scrape alive we may thank our lucky 
stars” 

I remained silent thereafter, not caring to display 


10 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


any more ignorance, and going forward to the port side, 
watched the approach of the coming hurricane, storm, 
or typhoon, call it what you will. Nearer came the 
yellow line, until I could plainly see that it was a tre- 
mendous wall of foam and angry waves, driven before a 
fearfully high wind with the speed of a comet. 
Then The Captain swung the El Dorado’s head around 
and prepared to run before the hurricane, which a 
minute later broke over us. 

With the first shock she lay over upon her 
port side until the deck was almost perpendicular, and 
it seemed as though her long, tapering masts were 
about to meet the angry, seeting waters. To my dying 
day I shall never forget that storm. A darkness most 
intense reigned over the sea and not one of us could see 
across the deck. 

How long we scudded before the hurricane I do not 
know, but it seemed an ; ge, and when a sudden shock 
came, which sent our craft almost upon her beam- 
ends, it seemed more a relief than a dangerous hap- 
pening. At the same time the storm abated, and half 
an hour later its furry had been entirely spent and the 
sun once more shone forth in its warmth. 

That the El Dorado had struck upon something, most 
probably a coral reef, was certain, for the crash of her 
timbers had been plainly heard. On going below, water 
was found coming into the hold, and it was only after 
the most strenous exertion at the pumps that it was got 
out sufficiently to reveal a square hole stove in her bow, 
just above the water-line. Here was a serious predica- 
ment. There was no danger of sinking while the sea 
remained calm, but should a gale spring up before we 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


11 


could get it repaired, which would take several days, we 
would surely go to the bottom. 

At that minute Harry Hawkins, who had gone aloft 
to straighten some ropes, shouted, “Land ahoy!” A great 
cheer went up at this and we all rushed to windward, 
to see, just discernible on the horizon a long black line 
which indicated a coast. This was a most fortunate 
circumstance, as we could put into some secure little 
harbor and lay up until after repairs, when we could 
again venture to sea safely. 

Immediately sail was made and we bore down for the 
distant land. As we drew near we preceived that 
instead of the coast, it was nothing but one of those 
tropical islands so common in those waters. The shores 
rose high in blufts of a dark-colored stone. Upon its 
northern shore we found a little cove, just deep enough 
for our craft, into which we put and dropped anchor. 

The carpenters were immediately set to work. A 
staging was rigged upon the bow of the gallant El Dora- 
do and the ring of hammer and chisel rose upon the air. 
I had never before seen a tropical isle, and the luxuriant 
foliage and vari-colored birds, which I could see from 
the deck, impressed me with a desire to go ashore on an 
ex] 1 iring tour. The captain had already ordered out 
his light gig and was skimming over the green waves. 
I broached the subject to Bill Harris, and together we 
lowered the mate’s boat and set out for the shore. 

We landed with the captain and his men and accom- 
panied them in their explorations. It was the captain’s 
object to ascertain if the Island was inhabited, but though 
we traversed every part of it, not a living human being 
did we find. After we had chased monkeys and 


12 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


made several unsuccessful attempts to secure some fine 
poll-parrots, which we saw, and got terribly frightened 
at the sight of a ferocious tiger, we set out for the boats. 

As we were walking along the edge of the bluffs one 
of our party slipped and fell to the beach below, a dis- 
tamce of twenty feet. He escaped unhurt, however, and 
shouted to us to aid him. On looking down we were 
surprised to perceive that he was literally hemmed in 
from the rest of the beach by two projecting arms of 
rock, which extended out into the surf some distance. 

The only method of rescuing our comrade was by 
lowering a rope, which we did; but to our surprise he 
did not immediately ascend, but beckoned to us to come 
down. He explained that an immence cave extended 
into the center of the island and proposed exploring it. 
Captain Martin acquiesced and we all slid down the 
rope, one at a time. Sure enough, before us yawned a 
black -mouthed cave of enormous dimensions and un- 
known depth. The Captain led the way and wo entered. 

On either side were black walls of stone, cold and 
slimy, while enormous bats winged their way out into 
the light, startled from their resting-place by our pas- 
sage. The bottom of the cavern was formed of coarse 
gravel and bore evidence of having been washed often 
by water, which was undoubtedly the case, as the high 
mountain torrents in time of storm probably found an 
outlet to the sea through it. It was a wonderful freak of 
nature, this cavern in the interior of the island, and we 
spent hours wandering through its recesses. 

At lenght the dark shadows warning us that it was 
near dusk, w'e started to leave it and return to the ship. 
As we neared its mouth one of our company uttered an 


THJS fJOHT OF EDSN 


13 


Qxelamation of surprise, and stooping, picked up a glit- 
tering object in the sand, wighing about two pounds. 
Somehow, from the first, I was impressed that it was of 
value, and when Captain Martin examined it a minute 
after in the light of day, he uttered an exclamation of 
astonishment. 

“It is a gold-nugget!’’ he said simply. 

He was very calm about it, but when we all becam# 
aware that Harry Blanchard — one of our companions- 
had found a gold-nugget, we threw up our hats and 
cheered; we made the rocks about to ring, and the old 
cavern to echo back our shouts. 

The next day we made an extended exploration of 
the cave, and at its remote interior, discovered gold in 
uncalculable quantity. 

A cargo of the precious metal was procured, and after 
a two weeks stay, we set sail from the wonderful isle. 
Our immense quantity of gold, with it’s bigoted value, 
would give us power to tyranize over the whole civilized 
world. We were a jubilant company, you may imagine, 
and all went well, until on our way home, when off the 
Borneo Island, a heavy fog came up lasting for several 
weeks, in which time we were drifting. We felt sure 
that our vessel was moving rapidly by some oceanic 
current, but could not tell in what direction, on account 
of our compass and instruments being all demolished in 
our former encounter with the elements. One evening, as 
sudden as by magic, the fog vanished and a gale set in. 

We had not the remotest idea where upon the globe 
we were located, nor in what direction our vessel was 
heading. We had to wait til the light of day before we 
could get our bearing, in the meantime nothing could 


14 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


he done but making preparations for weathering the 
storm. The mainsail and staysail were furled and firmly 
secured, while the jib and foresail were double-reefed; 
the hatches were closed and the deck cleared for every- 
thing that was apt to be washed away in the event that 
the Vessel was boarded by heavy seas. It came, the 
El Dorado bent before the blast of the gale til her star- 
board side dipped several feet beneat the water, at the 
same time a great sea broke over her stein completely 
submerging the Vessel, and nearly drowning the sailors. 
As soon as she partially recovered from the shock, the 
captain intended to keep as close to the wind as possible. 
For hours the sailors exhausted, Trenched and chilled 
to the bone, worked like tigers. Suddenly we were 
startled from our semi-corn m a tose condition by a report 
like the discharge of a cannon the vessel gave a spasmo- 
dic leap which sent her almost upon her beam-ends, 
this was followed by a rasping grating sensation. She 
had evidently struck a hiddeu reef, but the heavy seas 
had swept her entirely over it. 

As soon as it was fairly light Captain Martin got in a 
possition to take a view of the scene about him. His 
heart, fairly bounded with joy. Right before him, 
scarcely six miles to leeward, lay a black, rocky coast. 

Our Vessel was indeed a wreck, but a temporary 
rigging was fixed and we bore down on the promised 
land, which we reached in safety. We beached our 
doomed craft and immediately set ashore. Not contra- 
ry to our expectations, however; it was an island of 
vulcanic origin, uninhabited, and not a spear of vege- 
tation did we find upon it. 

Our provisions were completely exhausted. Our whole 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


16 


cargo of gold, worth uncalculable amounts of money, 
was still saved, but it could not satisfy our wants; we 
could neither eat it, nor exchange it for anything of es- 
sential value — if the whole island had been a solid 
mass of gold it could not have saved us from starving. 

To stay on a desert-island would be certain starva- 
tion; our vessel was a complete wreck. Without delay 
we made the necessary preparations and set sail in 
small boats for new events. Part of the gold being 
used for ballast. 

We cruised for several days wihout any success, until 
becoming nearly exhausted from fatigue and starvation. 
One evening the monotony was broken by the sight of 
an icy mountain-*peak on the distant horizon. We im- 
mediately set our course in the direction indicated. The 
next morning at day-break, to our surprise, we were 
surrounded by a group of small islands, and about six 
miles to leeward could be noticed a long strech of land, 
with its mountain-peaks reaching skywards, evidently 
those we saw the previous evening. 

We followed the coast for some distance, til a landing 
place could be secured. As we were about to set ashore 
we were assailed by a band of natives, who evidently 
had discovered our attempt to land. Although being 
very savage in their acts, they bore evidence of belong- 
ing to a semi-civilized race. They plundered us of our 
boats and other personal effects, as if resembling sea- 
pirates, They made themselves understood by various 
signs, and informed us that we were committing a crime 
known as trespass^ by landing, or attempting to land on 
their territory with any exchangeable property in our 
possession. That all such property, according to ancient 


16 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


cnetom, was seized and confiscated to the chief of the 
tribe, for this purpose a large army was constantly 
guarding the coast. 

We were now left to the mer cy of . the elements — to 
starve or freeze — but to our providential luck, nature 
had provided the land with an abundance of wild fruits 
and game was plentiful. However, we were informed 
by the coast-guard, that it was a capital crime to pro- 
cure any of natures gift, without the charitable permis- 
sion of some individual; what were we now to do? We 
were forced to, either commit a crime or starve. 

The sun had just set behind the icy mountain-peaks 
and the nights were chilly. We selected for our camp- 
ing place a tliieket of timber and after some difficulty 
got a fire started, this was slow progress- because no 
such things as matches were in our possession; we had 
to resort to the old method of igniferous by friction. 

After getting warmed up, and enjojdng a royal meal 
of wild fruits and some venison, we went to sleep. 

We were disturbed in our midnight slumber, by yells 
and shots, from a band of hostile natives, nearing our 
peaceful camping ground. They were arrayed in 
martial style, and we could plainly see that a fight was 
inevitable. A warior. whos position being foremost in 
the ti-oop, stepped forward and made himself under- 
stood, by various signs and motions with his hands. He 
succeeded in interpreting to us, that we w’ere trespassers 
on his territory; that this olfence, according to ancient 
custom and rule, was punishable by death. He impu- 
dently demanded our surrender. 

Although being numerous they showed very little ' 
courage, and their weapons were what we would 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


17 


peculiarly term as, relics from barbarism. 

Knowing that W3 had cominltod a capital crime, we 
prefesred to fight to the last man and die heroes, rather 
than to be decapitated, burnt alive, or executed in some 
other savage manner. Fortunately each one of us pos- 
sessed a pistol, of, the latest improved American make, 
and we could use them to perfection. 

During the forepart of the conflict we killed a large 
number of the savages, and it looked as though we were 
going to be victorious, with only two of our men killed, 
but suddenly there appeared upon the scene, a reinforce- 
ment of several h undred mounted wariors, which 
seemed .to doom us to certain destruction. We were 
completely overawed, the result was eight of our 
number killed, and the remainder four of us slightly 
wonded. Bound hand and foot and fastened on horse- 
backs, we were now taken to the capital village, to 
receive our torture; our doom was sealed, we knew 
what fate had in store for us. 

At the village we were escorted into cages, much 
resembling those of wild animals; in fact the whole 
interior of the prison bore the general resemblance of a 
iiK iiagei’ie. For two days we were kept in those cages, 
exi)eeiing every minute to be led to the executioner’s 
block. The third day we were taken to the high tri- 
bunal-the chief of the tribe-for trial. The court was 
an open square, surrounded by scores of savages in 
mai'tial attire. Here the Chief sat upon his Throne; 
his savage countenance gave us the impression that 
he was a. scoi-nful, merciless tyrant. He uttered a 
few .words in a harsh voice, and- after a pause, a young 
lady of the wliite race; was escorted into the court. 


18 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


She was a transendent, unflattered beauty, and I 
could immediately see that she was a scion from an 
advanced civilization. She was brought in to serve as 
interpreter, and spoke theEnglish language very fluent. 

Among other things of her wonderful tale, she related 
to us that she was a eaptive of those barbarians, same as 
we were; she informed us that our sentence, as pro- 
nounced by the chief, was decapitation. She strength 
ened our patience by saying: “I will do what is in my 
power .through my influence, to effect your deliverance”. 

Owing to their superstitious belief, she was considered 
bj^ the savages as a superior being, on account of her 
wast knowledge in Astronomy and Astrology — her 
prognostications being in most instances invariably cor- 
rect— on this account, many disagreeable duties were 
imposed upon her, among which was the establishing of 
the time for all important criminal executions. 

By order of the chief, in our case the time was not to 
exceed one year. For some reason, which to us did 
seem mysterious, the time was set at 2 p. m. on the 96th 
day, dating from the day of our trial. This decision 
did seem most grievous to our hopes, for we expected 
leniency to the full extent of the time allowed. Especi- 
ally did we look for mere y at the hands of this fair 
prophetess, who also being a captive, and in a position 
to sympatize with our condition. However, she asured 
us, that there would on that day, be some providential 
occurence, which she could use to work upon the super- 
stition of the people to such an extent, that our delivery 
should be almost certain. Before departing, she 
spoke these cheering words: “Best in peace and be 
content, at tbe apointed hour all will end well”. 


CHAPTER II 


INETY-FVIE days we occupied our miserable 
quarters; our rations being so scant as to merely 
afford our subsistence. Tlie ninety-sixth day 
dawned and all things were silent as the grave. 

With beating hearts and feverish anxiety, we awaited 
our deliverance, as the fatal hour was close at hand 
and the last moments for a chance to escape would soon 
be passed. 

Promptly to the minute the guard came and escorted 
us to a platform, which was erected especially for the 
purpose. Here each of us was bound hand and foot, 
and w^ewere all chained together with heavy steel links. 

The hour struck tw^o, and the Chiii arose to give 
order*, relatiniz to the manner and details of the execu- 
tion. The Officers of the law', armed with huge war- 
■cluls and battle-axes, now took their respective positi- 
ons to carry out every detail of the order. 

At this moment, our fair Goddess of Liberty, with 
queenly bearing and majestic steps, appeared upon the 
senne. She extended her right hand in gesture of 
wonderous, imperial grace and power, and ecxlaimed: 

“Mighty chief of this great nation, hear my petitioni 
I have a message from the Hea' enly Power; he com- 
mandeth, that this execution shall cease.” 

The chief again arose, and commanded his wariors 
and counselors to hold on for a moment, then turning 
to Adella — that was the young lady’s name — he said: 

“Most noble womani Thou hast great power and hast 
19 


20 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


done many wonders before my people, but thy request 
cannot be granted; it would be transgressing the laws 
of my land. My word is law and must be obeyed. 
Furthermore, I am guided b}'^ the constitution and cus- 
toms of my forefathers.” Then again turn ng to his 
officers he repeated the command to proceed with the 
ceremonies of the execution. 

Adella then sprang to her feet, and waved her hand 
in an imperious gesture of command, and exclaimed: 

“Halt! Pause! 1 have a warning, and a few words of 
advice, which, if hetdc'd, ina}^ save this land from 
destruction. It is the will of the supreme power of 
heaven that these condemned fellow beiiujs be deliver- 
ed. Then addressing his majesty, she continued: 

“Oh Chief, of thesi* deluded people ! Know ye thif-! 
That should ye p oceed to execute* this decree, the ven- 
geance of God will iH'st most heavily uj)on you. These 
fellow creatures have committed no crime, as you assert. 
If it be a crime to trespass upon the Earth, are* ye not 
also criminals? Are we not all equal trespasst rs and 
criminals? As we are all creations of the same nature, 
or the same god who created the Earth — ” 

“Stop! Stop!” Interrupted the Chief in a feverish 
exitement. “Adella the prophetess! You are contempt- 
uously disobeying my law and order, besides treatening 
vengeance upon my majesty. Knowest thou not what 
power 1 possess? I now command your silence.” 

Adella stood composed and convulsed, possessed 
with all the grace, beauty and majesty of an angel. 
Then, as if suddenly conscious of her power, she defi- 
antly, in spite of the command, again addressed this 
haughty despot, and made the following declaration: 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


21 


‘‘Mighty Chief! If my warning be unlieeded, I shall 
command til e sun of heaven to liide liis face that dark- 
ness may reign over the whole land.” 

After a brief pause, the Chief arose, and in the most 
rigid voice, made this demand: 

“Adel la the prophetess! You are requested to show 
your influence over the heavenly power; otherwise, in 
accordance with rule, I shall have you condemned, for 
thus defying my authorit3^” 

Adel la again, in a statu c like appearance, uplifted 
her both hands, and gazed towards the sun. She said 
in a solemn voice: 

“My In avonly Father! who commands the great light, 
let darkness reign over this land, that these people 
may know their abomination, and their fate.” 

In less than ten minutes everything was dark as 
erebus, (this was an eclipse of the sun, which Adella 
had previously calculated, hence she took opportunity 
of fixing the time of our execution on that particular 
minute, in order to enable her to work upon the people’s 
supcrsiition, in securing our deliverance). 

After an elapse of about fifteen minutes, the Chief 
aros • and broke the silence, with a command to his 
ofiicers, then addressing Adella, saying: “Great jiroph- 
etess! with the mighty supernatural power! Call on thy 
God to bring forth his light; thy request is granted; and 
thou shall henceforth be chief-counselor of this nation.” 

In the joyous transpofts of our hearts, we were con- 
strained to look upon our miraculous deliverance as 
the providence of God. 

In an other twenty minutes, the sun’s disk slowly 
began to appear from behind the eclipsing orb, and 


22 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


every one gazed in wonderous amazement, watching the 
disappearance of the eclipse, til the sun again shone 
forth in all his splendor. 

Adella then walked towards the prisoners, pausing 
at a point in close proximity, and noting that the de- 
jected look of sadness, had changed to radiant beams 
of joy and gratitude; she bowed cour teously, and ut- 
tered tliese cheering words: 

“I have now shown my intiuence on the supreme 
ruler of the universe, and by the grace of his majesty - 
the chief of this nation — have gained the position as 
Chief Counselor. I now command the release of these 
prisoners! and you wariors are relieved from further 
duty, as guards-men, and may henceforth become of 
some benelit lor the subsistence of the human family.” 

A great feeling of hatred soon became manifest 
against our fair prophetess and deliverer — now chief 
counselor of the tribe — on account of her high rank 
and title. She was continually in * ^ fear of being 
assassinated. 

The enmity against her was so intense, that one day, 
when in her company, and all in a mounted body, pas- 
sing over a mountain road, from one village to an other, 
we discovered that we were pursued by a band of sav- 
age natives, who made a most strenous elFort to gain 
ground on us, with evident intentions to malignantly 
assassinate our whole party. 

However they w^ere observed by our keen eyed Adel- 
la, who was constantly on the lookout for their trechery. 
We immediately left the road, and started off on a 
pathway leading through the heavy timber, along a 
steep mountain slope. 


THK light of EDEN 


23 


After some deffieiilty we reaelu d the top of the 
mountain. Here our view being unobstructed, we 
could look far out at sea, and note the outline of the 
coast, as though s})read out on a map. Observing a 
small bay at some distance, we directed our course 
thither. We were siirpidsed upon arriving there, at 
sundown, to hnd that this was the identical spot where 
we were cast ashore upon the barbarian’s territory. 

After sheltering ovei* night, from tlie chilly autom- 
nal atmospliere, in an old fislierman's cabin near the 
beach, we proceeded on our journey earl}^ the next 
morning. On our third day, \ve overtook some fisher* 
men, who were in 83^mpathy witli our condition. Thej' 
kindlj" donated us one of their boats, and informed 
us particularly about the geography of the coast, and 
what course* to pursue. We followed their direction, 
and after four days of suffering and fatigue, reached an 
island, being a few miles from the mainland, whicli 
Adella said, was known b}* the name of ‘Hunters Is- 
land’. wShe said, that it was custoraarv* fe>r hunting and 
fishing part'es. Irom her native land, to visit this is- 
land every Sat urda^’; that it was from this island she 
had been captured l)y the Barboes. 

The next morning, after enjoying a meal of venison, 
in company witli Adella I ascended a near by peak, 
for to take an observation of the surroundings. From 
this point, about twenty miles awa}", we observed, just 
dimly discernible, on the horizon, hundreds of savages 
coming towards the island. 

Our absence from the barbarian land had evidently 
been noted, and the savages were sent out by the chief 
to recapture our fair prophetcvss and deliverer. 'We 


24 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

luistciied to notify tlie rest of our comrades, and prepa- 
rations Idr our departure w ere at once in progress. 

As we were about to launcii our boats, Adella uttered 
an exultation of joy, ‘‘We are saved!” she said, and 
beckoned to us to look over the horizon in a soutli- 
W(‘sterly direction. We all ascended upon the peak, 
anxious to learn the happy news. On the distant 
horizon, se(‘iningly arising from tlie water, could be 
notict (1, an indistinguishable object, with an apparently 
fast motion, which upon in(|uiring, Adella explained 
was an air-ship, evidently with a hunting party, coming 
to the island. In a few minutt^s it shortened the dis- 
tance, so we could plainly note the shape and outline 
of the singular looking monstm*. As the mammoth spec- 
tacle neared the island our Joy increased, and wlicn 
it descended to the earth’s surface, only a few rods from 
us, we greeted the people aboard with shouts of joy. 

On relating the tale of our pc'rilous adventuiH^ and 
mii-aculous escape, a compassionate feeling was expres 
sed by every membei* of the party. 

The savages wei*e now within a few rods of the 
island; the command, '‘all aboard,” was given by the 
Captain, and the ship’s machinery put in motion. 

An air-ship was the production of the latest inventive 
gmiins, even among these people, and it certainl}^ aston- 
ished us Americans. * It was amazing to see the scien- 
tific mechanism, which propelled and guided the huge 
structure through the atmosphere. 

.Viter ascending through the transparent tluid, sur- 
rounding the Earth, we could eye a great distance. For 
s(‘veral hours we Hew over a vast body of water, seem- 
ingly without known limit. At lenght we sighted an 


4 



“W e are saved! ’ 





THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


25 


illiimnous volcano, which we neared most rapidly, till 
the tiames could plainly be seen bursting from it in 
great volumes. The sun’s dial was now disappearing 
below tlie horizon. As we got within close observation 
of the mass of eternal hre we found ourselves enclosed 
in a smoky cloud. After sailing another great distance, 
through the clear atmosphere, the sun arose in an angle 
direction from what it had set, apparently as though we 
had traveled from sunset till sunrise. Upon inquiring 
about the moaning of these strange phenomena, the 
cai)tain made the following reply: 

•AV(! have just passed the pole or the earth’s axis. 
A/l^r another few liours you will arrive in a country 
winch is e ntirely unknown to the presumtuous world. 
The olel marine route, which was discovered several 
ceMiturie's ago, has been obstructed through volcanic 
erii[)lions, which have taken place since. The air-ship 
is now the onl}^ conveying device, which is also one of 
our recent eliscoveries.” 

On looking througli a large telescope, I dimly di.^- 
cerned a shadow of ‘dhe land of hopes.” And aft^ r 
traveling over a vast desert, I beheld bird’s-eye 
view of a b(‘autiful city, wdiere we descended a few 
moments later. 

We landed in a mamoth palace, amid the noise of 
outgoing and incoming electric trains and street-cars. 
This was known as the public central station. 8o 
grand and magnificint, did everything appear to me, 
that I imagined myself in a greater metropolis than 
either New York or London. 

From the station w>- were escorted to the Metropolis 
Hotel, and provided with accomnicdations. 


CHAPTER III- 


W E were greatly surprised to find in this new 
world —which we soon learned was known by 
the name of ‘‘Eden’’ — a people not differing 
materially from ourselves. Though we observed nu- 
merous peculiarities —peculiar to us —the people, as a 
whole, seemed more intelligent and farther advanced in 
civilization than in our native land. To our astonish- 
ment English was their national language. 

The people on this new continent all dress well. The 
streets are free from loafers, every one is sober and 
industrious, and each person you meet presents a pros- 
perous, intelligent appearance -the contrast of silk-hats 
and rag-backs is out of fashion. 

Handshaking is their universal salutation; even as 
new-comei^s we were surprised with the warm reception 
of these words: 

“Welcome strangers, we extend to 3^ou the hand of 
friendship”. 

The next thing which came to pass my notice was 
their buildings; they are ver}^ substantial structures, of 
stylish architecture, and uniform 1 y two stories high. 
Their public buildings and hotels are large ornamental 
structures, in front of which are large lawns with 
nunr ous beautiful shade-trees. The manufacturing 
division of the city is separate from the residence 
part* — being connectd only by street-railways. 

All the streets are wide, and as near as [)racticable, 
straight; paved by a composition resembling asphalt, 

- 26 - 


TIIK LIGHT OF EDES 


27 


and boardored by ))caiitiful sidewalks. On both Bides 
of the streets are wide boule vards with flowers and in- 
numerable adorning shade-trees. Every residence has 
its i)rivate garden, containing al)oiit one acre of tillable 
land, in which abundantly of fruits and vegetables are 
grown to suply the family. In fact, the city resemble 
what in bible literature, is termed a “Paradise”. 

On scrutinizing c the streets and the buildings on 
both sides, no dis[)lay of goods could be seen, such as are 
^ustomary among our deceiving American merchants. 
Of the thousands of stores of ditt'erent varieties, as we 
expected to see, there were none. Saloons and real- 
estate oflices unknown and unneeded. Every foot of 
land in the city is utilized. 

About an hour after our arrival at the Metropolis 
Hotel I picket up the “Evenig Dispatch”, and my eyes 
were soon fixed on the following flashy head-lines: 

“VISITORS FROM THE BARBARIN WORLD 
PICKED UP ON HUNTERS ISLAND BY CAPTAIN 
JENNING OF THE SAFETY FLYEli'" 

Under the heading I read the following: 

“Captain Jenning and his party ve met with great 
surprise on Hunters Island this morning, in finding four 
white men and our supposed lost Adella Wicksby. She 
relates a wonderful narrative. She has been held as 
captive by the Barbos, where she met these white men, 
who also were captured by the savages, after being ship- 
wrecked on the coast of Asia. They were doomed to 
torture and death, same as many of our ^ry citizens 
have had to endure. Fortunately through the ingenuity 
of the adroit Adella they succeeded in accomplishing 


28 


THE LIGHT OF EDEX 


their escape. 

"We shall incite our patriotic citizens to |)ut a stop 
to such ))arl)arous practice in the fiitui-e. 

‘‘Aiuoiiii- other thino^s of thoir wonderful romance, 
we learn from these white men that they had been 
aboard one of those old relics of s.ailing- vessels, which 
have cost millions of human lives. That they had car- 
ried a whole carofo of o^old — the worshiped metal of the 
l)arbarian world, which has caused the ruin of scores of 
nations and the destruction of billions of human lives.” 

On lookino- through the paper I wa- surprised to find 
that it contained no advertisements, but only news and 
press dispatches. 

The next morning 1 arose early, wdth the intention of 
taking an early morning observation of tlie city. When 
about ready to start I was acco ted by a re])orter of the 
" Morning Telegraph”, who in juired for the leader of 
our })arty. 1 submitted to an interview' with the jour- 
nalist. lie wais ])articularly solicitous regarding the 
progress of automatic government and the Scientific 
question'’^ He invited me to acconi})any him on his 
morning visit through the city. 1 agreed that it would 
be my highest g-ratiheation. He introduced himself as 
Mr. Albin. 

We entered a carriage and drove up cottage avenue 
— one of the residence streets. When we had driven 
about three miles we stopped to look back. Every re- 
sidence we passed had a palatial appearance, which 
naturally made me ask this question: 

'‘Do all the people here live in such royal palaces as 
w'e have passed?” 

“They do!” replied Mr. Albin “unless they rather 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


29 


chooftc to live in hotels. Peo'/le’s tastes are in all cases 
.uvatihed. You can live where you ])lGase, with nothing 
l)ut your inclination to guide you. After people marry 
they almost invariable desire a residence of their own, 
with a garden to it.” 

‘‘Did I understand you to say, that nothing but their 
tastes and inclinations guides people in choosing a resi- 
dence location, is that correct?” I inquired. 

“Certainly” he replied, “some people prefer to live in 
the crowded portion of the city, while others prefer a 
more quiet location, and where they can have a garden 
and enjoy the fragrant odojrs of the vegetation. 

“We pay a ground-rent or ‘ground-tax’ to the city, 
which goes to pay for all public improvements, such as 
streets, sidewalks, street-railways etc.” 

“But surely the ground-rent on suburban property 
must be less, in proj-ortion to central locations, which 
would materially efl'ect people’s inclinations and desire, 
and crowd them out in the rural districts,” said I. 

“Ceratinly not,” replied Mr. Albin ,Avhere public im- 
provements are equal, the ground-rents are equal; be it 
in crowded, or rural districts; the ground-rents, are in 
all cases, regulated according to the })ublic improvemnts; 
however, a slight variation is made in the most desirable 
locations ^ — the distanc;e from the heart of the city is an 
immaterial matter, as very few of our people desire, to 
live in crowded districts.” 

“Surely no one Avill live in the outskirts of the city 
and pay a ground-rent ecpial to those who are living in 
the center portion, and besides, pay a large tax in 
street-car fa • q in going back and forth between their 
recidences and res[)ective occupations,” said L 


30 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


“Natural]}' not,’- he replied. “The street-car tax sys- 
tem, as you refer to, was in practice in this country 
over fifty years ago, but it all abolished now. Our 
street-cars are operated by the city government; you 
can ride where you please and when you please, free of 
direct charge.” 

“That most be an enormous expense on the city gov- 
ernment, to maintain and operate the street-railways 
free of charge to the public.” I interrupted. 

“You don’t seem to fully comprehend the reality of a 
government, Mr. Richard. A government is a soulless 
corporation, without the peoi)le there would be no gov- 
ernment; conse(|uently when we say, the government is 
doing a thing, that means the people as a whole — an 
organized body of all the citizens, who represent! such 
particular government, Then who pays for the con- 
struction and operation of the different public improve- 
ments? Is it not the same people that is benefited? I 
will now ask you, as a practical man. Who may be the 
lov sers by free public institutions? Are those living 
in the suburbs, when they can ride from and to their 
homes free of charge ? Are the ones living in the center 
portion of the city, when their ground-rents are equal 
with those living in the outskirts, where there are equal 
public improvements ? Are those who would be walking 
alongside the empty cars for ten or twenty blocks, and 
saving their five cents, when they can ride on the cars 
free and save sole-leather? No! none of this; but the 
gigantic corporations, which used to })lay havoc in this 
country before the inauguration of our automatic social 
system, and are yet o} era ting extensively in America, 
they are the lo sers; but among ns a thing of the past; 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


31 


they were automatically blighted.” 

“But do not people ride on the street-cars to extrav- 
agence ? I asked. 

“They certainly ride more than they would, were 
they to pay the live cent fare every time,” he replied. 
“But when a charge is made, especially if it is the same 
for long or short rides, a man will often walk along the 
street and spend more time and sole-leather than the 
charge is worth, while the cars run along empty by his 
side. If it is worth live cents to ride eight miles, what 
is it worth to ride eight blocks? Why should it be a 
charge made for riding on a public conveyance, any 
more than for walking on the sidewalks or over public 
bridges? I have learned from history, that at one time 
certain bridges and drive-roads — know as toll-bridges 
and toll-roads — w ere owned by private individuals, 
and a person had to pay a toll for passing over same; 
but that is all past memory now.” 

“Owing to the vast amount of money required in the 
construction and operation of street-railways and other 
free public institutions, are you not imposed with heavy 
taxes?” I inquired. 

“From a systematic point of view, we are practically 
paying no taxes,” reqlied Mr. Albin. We are paying a 
yearly ground-rent to the city, ranging from $100, to 
$150, for a residence lot containing one acre of land; it 
matters not how mnch or how little improvements there 
are upon it, the ground-rent does not vary in the least. 
Take for instance an average family of five persons; 
were they to pay a five cent fare for every advantageous 
ride on the street-cars, it would, in all probability, 
amount to from $100, to $200, yearly; thus you see. we 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


32 

have all the ground-rent indirectly returned to us in the 
way of direct benefits. ’’ 

“But surely |100, of taxes on each acre of ground in 
the city is not sufficient to pay the operating expenses 
of the whole street-railway system, together with other 
public works, and the machinery of city government?” 
I asked. 

“Certainly it is, and it gives us a surplus besides,” 
replied Mr. Albin. 

“I wish you would give me a few explanations,” said 
I. “In the greater portion of our large American cities 
the city tax sometimes reaches the enormous sum of 
^10,000, per acre or more, which is all consumed in 
the support of the city government; 1 do not mean by 
this the ground-rent, which in America goes to the land- 
lords, instead of through your system to public benefit, 
as you have just explained to me.” 

“I will try to make it more ex[)licit for you, Nr. 
Richard, and give it to you in jilain figures. Our city 
with its one hciindred thousand inhabitants, embracing 
an area of about twenty thousand acres, which sums up 
the yarly city rental income, to over two and a (juarter 
million dollars. Don’t you think, that this enormous 
sum, if economically spent, will reach a long way in 
paying for real worths? We have automaticall v abol- 
ished all red tape business, and the bvrden of b'onding 
and interest, which you Americans have to tolerate; 
even our police force we have reduced considerably, 
since the blighting of our tramp-system. One of the 
principal reasons why we have made free institutions, 
instead of fixing a small charge, is that we found it the 
only remedy against corruption; where there is no 


THE LI a nr of fdfx 


33 


•money transaction tlicrc is no incentive for corruption.” 

“I do verily believe that the Americans are utterly 
io'uorant on o-overimieiital affairs. Yet I fail to see how 
it could breed corruption in lettiiiir the o-overnment op- 
erate public institutions and charoe only a just and 
reasonable comj)ensation.” 

“The incentive of cornudion is inn)lanted in the hu- 
man heart;” he replied, “where there are large money- 
transactions it is \ma\'oidab!e. ” 

We drove down an other street, almost identical to 
the first one we drowe on, and when we got in front of 
a magnificent ollice-buildiuo*, which Albin told me wa43 
the office of the Morning Telegraph, where he entered, 
evidently for to attend to some business. As we re- 
turned to the hotel it was near the noon-hour, and after 
agreeing on a similar tour through the city the next 
ilay, we parted. 

{• 

CHAPTER IV 

C \N my return to the hotel an invitation was 
y awaiting for myself and my comrades to })artake 
• in a social dinner with the AVicksby family at 2 
p. m. on that day. 

Having no time to lose, and after making a few nec- 
essary j)re])arations, we boarded a car, which carried us 
rapidly towards C’arterville ■ — being the name of the 
village where Adel la’s ])arents resided— arriving in 
ample time for dinner. 

Adella, in her graceful appearance, met us at the front 
gate, and escorted us into the parlor of the magniticent 


84 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


residence and introduced us to the Wicksby family. 

This time she presented a more amiable cast than 
ever. She was tall and erect, her darkish hair and eye- 
brows contrasted charmingly with her fair complexion. 

One thing in ))articular, I noticed among the fair sex, 
was their general form; they did not present the ap- 
pearance of being half parted about the waist; evidently 
being due to the absence of those tor tur some corsets, 
which are in geneal custom among Aiuerican women. 

The society language among these people is very plain 
and common — with no high sounding phrases. To our 
surprise, no servants could be seen around the house. 

We were well received by Adella's {)arents, who gave 
us their hearty thanks for rescuing their much loved 
daughter. They also congratulated us on our arrival 
among free peo})le and upon free soil. 

The meal was grand, the best 1 ever digested — being 
all composed of natural food. There was a marked ab- 
sence of artiticial j)rej)arations and fermented Ihpiids, 
such as are ( ustomary among the victuals in America. 

After dinner we all partook in a social conversation, 
which, as a matter of course, drifted on our narrative, 
and on theAmerican social conditions. I soon found an 
opj)ortunity to excuse myself from the rest of the 
party, and in com})any with Adella I went out into the 
garden, among the fragrant herbs. As 1 took Adella’s 
hand in mine, with one of her beautiful smiles, she 
ommenced: ‘TIow do you feel Mr. Richard, among 
so many strangers and in a society so exclusively for- 
eign to you ^ llow do you like our customs and social 
institutions!” 

“To tell the truth Miss Adella, as to society here, I 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


35 


am delighted; I like it exeedingly; your social institu- 
tions are admirable. My presence in this ethical so- 
ciety, and in fact my life, I owe all to your adroitness 
and bravery, for which my gratitude can hardly be 
expressed in words.” 

“Any more comments are unnecessary,” she inter- 
rupted. “I owe my liberty to your existence, as much 
as we owe each other our life and liberty. What is life 
without liberty? Mr. Richard.” 

“Not very much,” I replied. “But you could not 
blame me Adella, if I should love you, when the fact is 
that you saved me from the gallows of the barbarians. 
I am always at your service;” at the same time pressing 
her beautiful white hand to my lips. 

I was silently awaiting the reply. As she presented 
ipe with a beautiful bouquet of roses, she uttered: 

“You are taking great privileges! among us it is 
customary for couples to learn to know each others 
disposition before engaging each others love; however, 
I don’t think we shall disagree about that. 

“But tell me Mr. Richard, are there not peculiarities 
in our social institutions, which have not yet been made 
clear to you?” 

“There are many things which still seem unnatural 
to me.” I replied. 

“Considering practical demonstrations and the unani- 
mous testimony, which I meet with every day, I can no 
longer trust to my own judgement and doctrines. For 
instance the American marriage laws were not binding 
enough; in proof of which, in my opinion, was the nu- 
merous divorces and violations of the marriage contract. 
But coming here, where marriges are contracted by 


36 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


mutual agreen^ent, and learning that so few divorces 
take place, iny tlioory is completely exploded. Please 
tell me Adel la, liow do you account for these facts? 
One after an other of my old cherished opinions has 
been thoroughly demolished, and I ])elieve it is time to 
throw aside abstractions and prejudice^ and be guided 
by sound sense and reason,’’ 

“Don’t get discouraged Jim,” said Adella, with a 
smile. “You are educated to Ijelieve in a wrong sys- 
tem, and of course all our social institutions are based 
upon natural laws; that is the rea on everything seems 
mysterious to you. You are familiar with a system of 
hampering natural laws, when on the contrary we have 
an automatic system based uison natural laws. 

“Did I understand you to say Mr. Richard, that thp 
American marriage laws are not binding enough? 
Surely your legislators does not attempt to bind men 
and women together with resolves, and thou shalt, do 
they? Do they dictate to young men and women, with 
whom, how, and when they must fall in love? Do they 
make laws to bind rocks to the surface of the earth? 
Or to make an apple drop to the ground when severed 
from the branch of the tree?” 

“Pardon me for interrupting you,” said 1. “You 
really confuse me. I am afraid you do not quite under- 
stand my question. You are ridiculing the American 
governmental machinery.’' 

I understand you thoroughly, Mr. Richard. I was 
only giving a few analogous absurdities, illustrating 
the ignorance of the American law-makers in adding 
exhaustive laws on your statute books, and at the same 
time hampering natural laws. 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


37 


“What is the real tie of nirrriagre? Jim. Is it not 
love, which nature has provided? That you must admit. 
Then what is the necessity of exhaustive statutes? Sup- 
posing your lawmakers should add a law on your 
statute books, to tie up two men in a marriage. What 
would the legal tie amount to? Simply a divorce suit; 
would it not? When legislation does not conform with 
natural laws it can produce nothing but trouble. Legis- 
lation does no great harm as long as it don’t comi)el 
people to do anything contrary to their natural inclina- 
tions; but when it undertakes' to force against natural 
laws all legislation certainly fails. 

“The fault of your innumerable divorces must be 
due to your social conditions. The principal reason, 
which in our country produced similar eifects, some 
generations ago, was poverty and the fear of poverty. 
Don’t you think that is the principal cause in America? 
Mr. Richard.” 

I had to admit that it was; that at least 90 per cent, 
were based upon lack of support, and mal treatment 
resulting from the abusive use of intoxicants. 

“Before we abolished poverty,” continued Adel la, 
“a married man wes deprived of the natural immunity 
to earn, or produce enough for the suport of his fami- 
ly; as a conse(}uence, trouble naturally arose, which 
frequently ended in a divorce. The liquor habit which 
is principally caused from destitution and desertion, 
was formerly of common in this country; but since the 
saloons became a thing of the past, no one would think 
of drinking the vile stuff as a beverage.” 

“Please exj)lain to me Adella, how you managed to 
abolish poverty, saloons, and the liquor habit.” 


38 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


“That was all done automatically;'’ she replied, “we 
never passed any law restricting a person from posses- 
ing as much wealth as he could accumulate through his 
own exertions; hut instead we gave every one equal 
opportunities to produce wealth, together with leaving 
him in possession of the full reward of his own toil. 

“Saloons and the liquor ha1)it were blighted, through 
the simple remedy of abolishing all duties and revenues 
on intoxicating beverages, together with the licence for 
the sale thereof. This made the fermented stuff as free 
as other decomjiosed licpiids. The constant worry of 
destitution made many of our people drunkards; as 
their only joy and relief was in the temporary insa- 
nity of intoxication, hich fr -equently matured in 
crimes and premature graves. ^ 

“You amaze me Adella, you are quite a philosopher. 
Do you really like the study of social science?”" I asked. 
“In America you would be branded a ^ Calamity 'howler\ 
but such we seldom find among women.” 

^‘Political science is my hobby, Mr. Richard. Here 
we deem it each ])erson’s self interest to keep posted on 
politics; be it men or women. ^Fhe women must sub- 
sist as well as the men; through p'olitical ignorance we 
would all starve — as is an example in America, where 
the majority of the people are politically ignorant and 
as a consecpience nearly all must suffer.” 

At this juncture we were interrupted by Harrj' 
Blanchard, who brought the information that it was 
near leaving time for our car. 

With a |)arting smile, she invited me to call again on 
the following Saturday; and we were soon speeding 
on our homeward way, towards Goldbury. 


CHAPTER V 

H arry Pjranchard, who slept in the same n'om 
with me, complained the next morning of a 
headache — said I had kept him awake and was 
talking all nigl.t in my sleep. I was naturally infatu- 
ated with the strange infinence of love, so 1 thought it 
unnecessary to dispute him. 

On the apointed time Mr. Albin met me at the hotel, 
and together we boarded a car whicli carried us at a 
rapid speed, along a beautifully boulevarded avenue. 

The car stopped in front of a magniticent public 
building, which Albin said was the lifth district store, 
where he had business to attend to. 

I was amazed, the building fhself presented a })ictur- 
esque appearance, by far grander than any merchantile 
establishment in America; but there was no display of 
goods in the great windows, or any device to advertise 
vares or attract customers; nor was there any sort of 
sign or legend to indicate the character of the business 
carried on therein. Above the portal in front of the 
building was a large statuary, with the scales of justice, 
bearing the following inscription, in large letters: 

‘‘if any will not IVORK neither SHALT HE EAT” 

As we entered, Albin said that there was one of these 
great distributing establishments in every ward of the 
city, so that no residence was over five or ten blocks 
from one of them. 

As it was the first interior of a new world public 
building I ever witnessed, I was naturally astonished. 

- 39 - 


40 


TEE LIGHT OF EDEN 


It was a grand spectacle; I was in a spacious hall full of 
light, received from the large windows on all sides and 
from the glass-dome above. In the center of the hall 
a magnificent fountain played, cooling the atmosphere 
to a delicious freshness with its spray. Around the 
fountain was a space occu[)ied with chairs and sofas, 
where many people were seated conversing. Mr. Albin 
suf gested that we sit down a few minutes and watch 
the shoppers. Legends all about the hall could be seen, 
which indicated to what classes of commodities the re- 
spective counters were devoted. As 1 noticed a young 
lady directing her steps tOAvards one of these counters, 
Avhere samples of calicoes of bewildering v^arieties were 
displayed, and proceeded to inspect them, and seeing no 
one coming to attend to the customer, it naturally 
made me ask for the clerk. 

“A customer has no need for a clerk til she has 
made her selection.” replied Mr. Al])in. 

‘‘But is it not the duty of the cierk to assist the cus- 
tomers in making their selections I asked. 

“You mean to tell people Avhat they want? How can 
a clerk know what a customer Avants?” 

“It is the principal business of the clerks in America 
to hel}) people make teir selections, and induce them to 
buy.” I replied. 

“What a deceiving system!” ejaculated Mr. Albin. 
“I fail to see how it can concern the clerks if people 
buy or not?” 

“They are hired for the sole |)urpose of getting rid 
of the goods” I ansAvered, ‘^and are expected to do 
their utmost, short of the use of force to accomplish 
that object; furthermore, their own living, and that of 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


41 


their wv'es and children, are depending upon the a- 
mount of goods they can dispose of.” 

‘•Ah yes! how stupid I am to forget!” said he. “I 
remember from reading history, that the same system 
existed in this country over fifty years ago. The store- 
kee])er and his clerks depended for their livlihood in 
selling goods. Of course that is all different now. It 
is the business of the clerks to take orders, but it is not 
their interest, nor any one else’s, to dispose of a par- 
ticle of anything to anybody who does not want it.” 

“But a clerk even here could make himself useful in 
giving a customer information about the goods, though 
he did not persuade you to buy them.” said I. 

“No!” said Mr. Albin. “These printed cards, for 
which the government authorities are responsible, give- 
us all the information we possible need.” 

I discovered then that there Avas fastened to each 
sample of goods, a card containing a complete state- 
ment of its make, material, and qualities, together with 
the price, leaving no question of doubt. ” 

“The clerk then has nothing to say about the goods 
he sells.” said I. 

“Nothing at all!” he replied. “All that is required 
of him is courtesy, and accuracy in taking orders. ” 

“What a predigious amount of humbuging that 
simple arrangement saves!” I ejaculated. “The im- 
mence lot of deceiving and misrei)resenting the Amer- 
ican merchants and their clerks are compelled to do, in 
disposing of their goods is simply disgraceful.” 

“Do you mean to say, that the American merchants 
are compelled to lie about their goods?” he inquired. 

“Under such pitiable conditions they are!” I replied. 


42 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


“The people over there are so accustomed to being 
humbuged, that the sight of an honest man, would be 
as much a curiosity to them, as the appearance of a sol- 
dier, in full e(iuipment, to you })eoi)le here; — the}^ will 
actually believe a lie in ])refeience to the truth, or de- 
ceive their own eyes. 

“A ver}^ important matter I have noticed about your 
distribution system, is the total saving of the enormous 
cost of advertising and display of goods. The Amer- 
icans use the following motto: "If you invei-i a dollar in 
business you must spend two dollars to adv.-rtise your 
business\ This is universally adhered to, and goes to 
j)rove that the adveitising, together with the cost of 
supporting the*extei sive army of clerks, requires an 
enormous profit on the goods, amounting, in some in- 
stances, to twice or three times its first cost; or in other 
words, the consumer must pay the producer's price two 
or three times, l ^der your simple arrangement of 
distribution, you abolish the whole network of com- 
mission men, agents, speculators, wholesalers, retailers, 
etc., — with their immense ])rofit, which enables them 
to live in leisure and luxury.” 

“Yes!” .said Mr. Albin. “The government is simply 
the intercessor between the producer and consumer, 
and of course, here everyone is a })roducer of some 
commodities or otlu r, at the same time as he is consu- 
mer of nearly all kinds. It ])laces the goods in the 
hands of the (consumer at first cost.” 

Turning again my attention to the young lady custo- 
mer. J noticed, after making her selection she touciied 
an electric button, and in a few moments a clerk ap- 
peared, who took down her order, upon a tablet making 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


4S 


three copies; one he gave to the customer, one he kept 
himself, and the third, Albin explained to me, was sent 
by automatic transmitters to the great warehouse, to 
be filled by. 

“We publish a daily report of all sales, together 
with the amount of commodities on hand at any and all 
times.’' said Mr. Albin. “ The agr i -culturers and ma- 
nufacturers are guided by these reports, hence avoiding 
^either profusion or famine in the market. 

“There is no preference nor difterence in any of 
these sample stores,” he continued. “The asortment 
in all is exactly the same, rej resenting in each case, 
samples of every kind of goods produced, manufactur- 
ed, or imported; and the price is the same, on the same 
quality of goods, in all parts of the country.” 

“Is this merely a sample stored” I asked. 

“Exept as to a few classes of sundry commodities,” 
he replied, “the goods are at the great city warehouse, 
to where they are shipped, on government conveyances, 
direct from the producer. The orders are sent to this 
warehouse, where they are filled most rapidly, and the 
goods distributed from there to the purchasers. The 
filling of the orders and transj)orting the goods, is done 
with such alacrity and disj)atch, that it is often horn 3 
ahead of the customer. Most of the ordering of c( urs , 
is done by t ielei)hone, as nearly every residence has a 
t\elephone connection. In the country districts, wheie 
there are too thinly settled to allord street-cars, the 
goods is carried on railroads.” 

We left the store, and })roceeded on our way home. 
Accepting an invitation to accompany Mr. Albin on a 
Centerville trip the following Monday we parted. 


CHAPTER VI 


W HEN I returned to the hotel that noon I was 
surprised, upon glancino- over the columns of 
the Noon Dispatch, to read the announcement 
of a social entertainment, to be given that same evening 
in honor of the shipwrecked Yankees, to which every 
body was invited. Among other things on the pro- 
gramme, was a choir-song by the Yankees — as we were 
always named — and a speech by Jim Richard — myself. 

Tiie afternoon I spent in company with my surviving 
comrades, rehearsing a Yankee liberty song from the 
patriotic days of 1776. 

Half an hour before the time set for the entertain- 
ment to commence we all boarded a car which sped us 
to the acious hall, then already more than half tilled. 

Here we were met by a reception committee and es- 
corted ii to the hall. Glancing at the program* , which 
was now handed to us, surel}^ enough, I read: “A choir 
song 1)A' dhe shipwiecked Yankees, and a speech, by 
Jim Rijiiard’. I w’^as thunder-struck! Myself elected 
for a speech, and in the presence of such a brilliant 
assemblage too! 

“Oh, absurd, rediculous!’’ I thought; Yet there it 
was on the program; it was rude and impolite to decline. 

The orchstra was the finest I had ever listened to. 
Several of the instruments were unknown to us, and 
their peculiar sounds very unfamiliar. 

Mr. Howard, the city mayor, appeared on the stage, 
j list as the orchestra had finished the overture selection, 

- U- 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


45 


and made the folio wins; anouncement: 

^ ‘Ladies and Gentlemen! The entertainment this eve- 
ning is given in honor of our shipwrecked friends, who 
have accidentally come to take up the social life among 
us. The first s| eaker on the program is your well 
known friend, T>Ir. John Wetsue — Editor of the Gold- 
bury Morning Tribune — ; he will give a lecture on the 
subject of barbarism.” 

Mr. Wetsue was greeted with a turbulent applause, 
as he appeared before the audience. His voice was 
smooth but powerful, and his eloquence was admirable. 
I will quote the following extracts from his sj:>eech: 

“Ladies and Gentlemen! The [.arty of shipwrecked 
Aoiericans wdio are with us to-night, in some respects, 
resemble our honored ancestors, who were European'^. 
In their native land they were hampered by monarchial 
tyranny, and burdened with heavy and unjust taxation. 
To free themselves from dcs!jOtism, they undertook the 
almost insuperable ditliculties, incident to the long sea- 
voAmge, in reaching this glorious .-horei of free. As 
near as I can learn from our American frinds visitors, 
the same perplexed social system still exists in ilfinerica 

“Ladies and GeriLioiiien! Speaking of our European 
ancestors, who were all social ecjuals when they landed 
on these shores, into what conditions did they drift v 
through being mysteriously led by cunning leaders ^ 
The latter lived off the fruit of their fellow men’s toil, 
and una wares of the peo[)le’s comprehension, perfidi- 
ously plundered them of their homes and bread. Ti e 
condition of these pooi)le before those mighty, honesi, 
humanity loving mi:Als applied their wisdom to the 
reformation of the social conditions, then so pitifull}' 


46 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


needed, was like the boy who reared a tiger. The tiger 
waxed strong and became ferocious, so the boy could no 
longer control him. He had become the boy’s master. 
The same with our people — our ancestors — , they rear- 
ed a tiger, in the shape of a government. They nur- 
ti ed him, petted and spoiled him, until this creature 
of their own exaltation, grew ferocious and masterly, 
and treatened to subvert the lives and liberties of those 
people, who had made him what he was. But! my 
friends and fellow citizens! I am happy to say, that this 
unnatural change of master was not to be! Deliverance 
came to hand at the eleventh hour. It came through 
the brains . of our intelligent citizens — in those days 
known and branded through the corrupt press as ‘cala- 
mity-howlers’ and ‘agitators’. 

“My fellow citizens! Their names will never vanish 
from the pages of history. They are written dowm in 
bold letters, with blood. 

“Millions of innocent people suffered starvation and 
death, caused from destitution. But industrial freedom 
took the place of industrial slavery. Where before 
corporate monopolies, operating under special privi- 
leges (franchises), ruled and reigned supreme, the 
government is now attending to such business, and con- 
ducting it in the joint interest of all the people. 

“Where greed, selfishness and bitter discord once 
prevailed, peace, harmony and content now exists. 
Our present automatic social system was at that time 
instituted, wdiich has since proven a success in the most 
satisfactory manner.” 

Mr. Wetsue spoke forty minutes; when he finished 
the audience applauded repeatedly. 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


47 


An escort was now sent to me with the request that I 
appear upon the platform; and when I stepped forward 
the cheering was renewed. 

Mr. Howard, in introducing me to the audience, said: 

“I have now the honor, and extreme pleasure, to 
present to you the distinguished American, Mr. Jim 
Richard, w^ho has accidentally arrived among us.” 

As the greeting that met me died away into silence 1 
commenced my sj)eech. I felt at this time more like 
making a rousing speech than ever, on account of the 
enthusiasm the orator had aroused in me. Inspirations 
came faster than I could express them. 

When 1 had spoken for about half an hour, it occured 
to me, that 1 ought not to occupy any more of the time, 
as dancing was on the program. Just as I brought my 
speech to a close, my attention was attracted to the face 
of a beautiful young lady in the audience. She resem- 
bled very much a maiden, with whom I made acquaint- 
ance on my last visit to the French Capital. I was 
greatly amazed to see her arise from her seat and 
approach the stage. The audience evidently recognized 
her as she appeared, and gava her a cordial greeting. 

She presented a majestic appearance. In addressing 
the audience, as she stood beside him, Mr. Howard said: 

“Next on the program is Viola Hartford, who will 
favor us with a vocal solo. I need hardly say that I 
refer to one of our sweetest singers, who is too well 
known to most of you to need further introduction.” 

She stood with the dignity of a princess until the 
greeting had ebbed away into silence, and she began 
her song. Her voice was exquisite, but I could not 
think of music while she was in sight. I determined 


48 the light of EDEN 

to make her acquaintance at the earliest opportunity* 

Next on the program was our choir- song. As the 
greeting died away, bj which we were welcomed, we 
set m with force. It was enthusiastically received. The 
chorus ended with the word “liberty”, and when it fell 
upon their ears the audience became wild with exite- 
ment. ‘‘Great liberty loving people,” I contemplated. 
The great word ‘liberty” was resounded by the audi- 
ence several times after we had finished the last strain. 

It was new ano! n d bat dancing was the next thing 
in order. After a tew conclusive remarks by the 
chairman, the audience di persed — some going home, 
the dancers and young jyeopie remaining. 

As we entered the palatial bal-room, our ears were 
met with the delightful music of a lovely waltz. 

The introduction committee provided us with agree- 
able j)artners, and we were soon gliding over the floor. 

Nearly an hour elapsed before I got an opportunity 
for a conversation with Viola Hartford -the solo singer. 

After b 'ing introduced, I asked for the pleasure of a 
dance during the evening. She produced her program, 
and answered: 

‘'Certainly, which will you choose?” 

“My favorite is a waltz, -ah there is a vacancy, the 
next"walz, shall we decide on that? Thank you.” 

V “A splendid speech you made this evening, Mr. 
Richard,” she began. 

“Oh, I am not much of an orator,” said I. “But 
becoming a convert to yonr splendid social system, as I 
have, in such a short time, would naturally incite any 
man to oratory.” 

“How do you enjoy yourself among so many stran- 


THE UGHT OF EDEN 


49 


gers, and in a society so exclusively foreign to you?” 

“I enjoy myself in the highest degree, Miss Hartford. 
I am delighted with your society. I find a higher civi- 
lization than in my native land, culture and equalty is 
universal. In America some people are highly educated, 
while the masses remain comparatively illiterate.” 

Here the music struck up a polka, and she was car- 
ried off by a young native. 

You might be sure that nothing made me forget the 
time for the next waltz. As soon as the band played 
the opening bars of an exquisite selection, I was at 
Miss Hartford’s side. 

Ah - what a waltz? She was graceful as a queen. I 
could have waltzed with her forever. 

To my surprise, before the program was anywhere 
near exhausted, the music stopped suddenly, and the 
people began to leave. 

Looking at my time-piece, and observing that it was 
12, o’ dock midnight, I inquired: 

“Do they quit because it is Sunday ?” 

“Oh, no! not particularly on that account;” was the 
reply; “but we never dance later than that any day in 
the week.” 

I was anxious to see Miss Hartford again that eve- 
ning, but she had disappeared with the crowd. 

The next day was Sunday, rest and quiet prevailed. 
As I picked up the Tribune the first thing I noticed was 
an account of the reception entitled “a grand success”. 

*1 ■» « > 


CHAPTER Vll- 

O N Monday morning the rush of energy and 
business-life was resumed. At eight o’clock 
a concert of wistles, of various tones, sounded 
the signal for openmg the great manufacturing estab- 
lishments — the hour for everyone to go to work. 

On questioning about the working hours, I was told 
by an elderly gentleman — who had been introduced to 
me as Sam Houghton, a clothing manufacturer of the 
city — that the general working time, was six hours per 
day; commencing at eight o’clock a. m. and continuing 
til two p. m. that this was the time customary by the 
government on public works, also by the farmers, and 
by nearly all the manufacturers. 

“The wages” he said “for nearly all kinds of work, 
are the same as that paid by the government — $5. per 
day. The government will employ all idle, willing 
hands in the country, and pay the same wages; thus no 
man will work for less wages than that paid by the 
gowerment, nor tolerate worse treatment. Government 
employment at stipulated wages, is the base or stand- 
ard for all labor, and the jnice on all commodities is 
naturally regulated thereby.” 

‘‘When all the industrial wages is equal, how do 
you manage to get laborers for hazareous work, also 
mechanics, and professional men'^” 1 asked. 

“That is regulated simply by the number of hours 
required for a day’s work,” he replied. “At real haz- 
ardous occupations, it is often hard to get men to work 


- 50 - 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


51 


two hours per day; in other words, to work more than 
two hours for one day’s pay. Mechanic’s working time 
is, in nearly every case, one hour less than that of the 
navvy. Professional men, of course, are working on 
their own merit, and on the merit of their ]^rofession. 
If they cannot earn as much as laborer’s wages it is evb 
dent, that there is either lack of utility in sush particu- 
fcir profession or profusion of professors; and in either 
case, a man possessing common sense, would certainly 
not follow it. Now supposing that there was a lack 
of professors, and that those who were practicing, de- 
manded absurd requitals for their services; there would 
soon be numerous students preparing for competition, 
and it would at once reduce their earnings to a reason- 
able compensation for their services, or on a close level 
with the standard of wages — education is free to all. ” 

“But, when the government is willing to employ all 
idle, willing hands in the country, at any and all times, 
don’t your government have a surplus of applicants for 
labor; and for the same reason, is it not difficult for 
private individuals to obtain employees?” I inquired. 

“The government cannot, under any circumstances, 
employ too many laborers, as long as the labor is judic- 
iously applied,” he replied. “Every day’s labor per- 
formed on public improvements is to the comfort and 
convenience of the whole people. 

“Private individuals must offer the same inducement 
to their employees as the government; therefore, the 
government’s standard is the foundation for all labor, 
and the products of labor. This system supersedes the 
bigoted ‘gold standard’, which you Americans are ac- 
customed to — Labor is the only true measure of valvel 


52 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


If labor is scarce the prices on coniniodities advance 
accoidlnofly; as it is more profitable for the individuals 
to employ themselves in the {)rod action of the various 
kinds of commodities, rather than to ^vork for the g-ov- 
ernment. This was practically demonstrated some time 
ago; commodities were high in the market and nearly 
all the people went producing: this left the government 
without the necessary em|)loyees to maintain and o])er- 
ate public institutions. Then the government simply 
reduced the market price on commodities about ten per 
cent, and it got all the employees necessary. 

“Our industrial system is regulated as easy as a clock. 
When we have more government enn)loyees than we 
can advantageously employ, we achance the market 
price on commodities, and when we have a large supply 
of commodities on hand we reduce their market price. 
And when we have perfected plenty of ]mblic improve- 
ments, and have a large sup])ly of commodities on 
hand, we simply reduce,‘ the number of working hours 
per day. The reduction of working hours simultane- 
ously with scientific advancement, is the key-note to 
our perfect industrial system — which you Americans 
have yet failed to discover.” 

“But how have you solved the problem of strikes, 
wich are continually annoying the employers in Amer- 
rica?” T asked. 

“That was the most knotty question we had to solve” 
said he. ‘AVe even had strikes to contend with after 
our new social system was partially inaugurated; but 
for the last forty years they have been a thing of the 
past. In the days of strikes, great bodies of working 
men organized themselves under names of different 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


53 


mechanical unions, and undertook to force private 
employers, and even the government, to pay whatever 
wa^es they saw fit to demand. If such demand was 
refused, they attempted to ruin their employer's busi« 
ness, through what was known as ‘‘boycott’. They even 
attempted to prevent their employers from employing 
other men than those belonging to such organization, 
and under no consideration would they themselves work 
for less wages than that determined upon — they actual- 
ly attempted to mannage their employer's business; 
Avhich in consequence, ended in riot and confusion. 

‘‘This proved ‘ great injury on both sides. First: by 
attem])ting to debar their fellow men from earning an 
honest living --monopolizing their means of livel<hood- 
thereby creating enemies in the laborer’s rank, at the 
same time giving an o[)])ortunitv for the em])loyers to 
cut the wages still lower. Second: it prevented the 
employers from economicallv managing their own 
affairs ; thereby, in many instances, forcing them to 
retire from business. 

“We were compelled to pass a stringent hyv, pre- 
venting one or more individuals from interfering 
with the affairs, and management of the business of 
others, under any pretense whasoever, whithout mutual 
consent. This law, however simple it was, solved the 
problem of general strikes. But still there frequently 
arose discontent among laborers in large factories and 
mines, owing to mistreatment by their employers; this 
difficulty also vanished, as soon as the government 
stood ready to employ any and all willing hands, at a 
stipulated wages. In consequence thereof, employers 
who mistreated their employees, were unable to obtain 


64 THE JAGFIT OF EDEX 

laborers on any persuasion, as soon as their reputatiau 
became known. 

‘^‘We luive had no labor difficulty of any nature for 
the past forty years,” he continued. ^‘And the only 
due remedy, we fliscovered, was government employ- 
ment, tooethei- with giving every citizen who so desires^ 
the opportunity to employ himself.” 

‘^‘'But how can a man employ himself, who has no 
means or capital, by which to purchase machineiy, 
stock etc.”^ I asked, 

‘■‘The government will assist any man with Hmited 
credit, sufficient ^ to commence tn business 

Natures opportunities are open 
for everyone,” lie replied. 

‘"‘Then if I wish to engage in farming or manufactur- 
ing, can I do so without having any capital of my 
own I inquired, 

“■Certainly you can! Would it be moral justice to> 
debar you from doing benelit to societ}% or jiroduce 
your own subsistence, for the sini])le reason, that you 
were not born fortunate enough to inherit, that which 
you call ca})ital i — in order not to confuse people on 
the language, we have superseded /the word "capitaB 
in trade transactions, with the true meaning, credit. 

“For instance, if you wish to engage yourself in 
the agriculture business, you can simply select a 
vacant piece of land, suitable for your purjx)se — of 
which there are unlimited areas — then apply to the 
government for assistance. The application must have 
the signature of two well known citizens of the com- 
munity, who will vouch for your ability to economically 
manage the business you wish to engage in. When the 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


65 


application is approved by the inspector the govern* 
ment will furnish you with a limited amount of credit. 
When you bring your commodities to the government 
warehouse, you are requested to return one tenth of the 
original amount, every year, til the whole sum or •cre- 
dit is re*established to the government without interest. 
You have the privilege to tender your services j)rior to 
the time your instalment becomes due, thus for every 
day’s labor you perform for the government, the value 
of one day’s work ($5.), is credited on your account. 

“If you wish to engage in manufacturing business, 
the same method can be resorted to; it is only necessary 
for a man to [X)sse8s skill and ingenuity. If a man 
does not possess the necessary knack and ingenuity to 
profitably employ himself, he must either work for 
some other individual or for the government.” 

“But if I should wish to obtain goods on fraudulent 
purposes, and sipiander them, how could the govern- 
ment recover it’s property or credit f’ I asked, 

“Oh, if you should obtain goods on false pretenses, 
and maliciously dispose of them, you would be treated 
the same as any other insane man. You' would be ar- 
rested and put under restraint, and compelled to work, 
then earn the amount of which you defrauded the gov- 
'ernment, also in addition thereto, you would have to 
pay the cost of keeping you under guard; however, a 
< 5 ase of that kind is unknown in our communitv.” 

“You would not treat that as insanity, would youf’ 
*‘What else can it be ? A sane man would certainly 
not run the risk of being put under restraint, when the 
opportunitv is open for him to earn an honest living 
and be a free man. It would be difficult for an injane 


56 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


man to obtain vouchers for his application; so yon sec, 
that the government is amply protected. It is mainly 
conditions, over in your country, that makes ])eople 
dishonest. ’■ 

1 had to admit, that it Avas pure philoso])hy, and that 
their social system, what part of it 1 had learned, left 
no room for impro\'ement. 


CHAPTER VIII 

friend Albin, met me at the hotel alxiut fifteen 
» V '/b •^‘hmtcs before the leaving- time of our train, 
and together we took a j)roininade through 
c(‘ntral park and into the public station. 

Here we boarded one of the most beautiful jiarlor 
ears I ever laid my eye on. At the sound of the gong 
the train started off at an immense siieed. When we 
had traveled about ten miles I inquired for the conduct- 
or, and if he was not coming around collecting fares ^ 
“Fares!” Kciioed Mr. Albin. “Surely we know 
nothing about* fares. I suppose you have reference to 
the days of toll-tax. when a person had to pay toll for 
walking on the public highway or over public bridges. 
You must bear in mind that all our public institutions 
are FiiP:K; just as free as the American highways,” 
Judging from the running-time between Goldbury 
and Centerville, I remarked: '"The distance must be 
about four hundre<l miles?” 

•^Over eight hundred miles!” he ejaculated, “This 
train travels at the rate of one hundred miles an hour.” 
“What a tremendous speed!” I exclaimeii. “But is 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


57 


it not dangerous for accidents, in running at such ter- 
rific speed f’ I asked. 

‘‘"Not in the least,” he replied. ‘‘The guard-rail, 
which is three inches higher, and on the inner side of 
the proper rail, kee[)s the wheel in })lace — protects from 
claiming or jumping— besides, the track is as near as 
l)racticable straight, and always in good condition. The 
wheels }u*e constructed of aluminum and steel, and the 
engines and cars are made of the best of material, and 
always kept in order; by being replaced by new, when- 
ever any sign of weakness is discos ered. The track is 
properly fenced in, and wide!}' cleared on both sides, 
so there is not the least danger of anything tumbling 
across, nor obstruction by stock. It is princit)ally negli- 
gence, together with inferior or defective constructions 
of rol ling-stock, bridges, track and roadbed, which 
causes so many accidents over in your country. 

*Tt may l)e a surprise to you, how we can attain such 
great speed; but you see, electricity has totally super- 
seded steam, for motive i)ower, which enables us to 
travel at a speed that only tiie atmos[)here can prevent.” 

“But, how can the government atlbrd to run these 
trains without charging fare^” 1 impiired. “The 
people must certainly pay heav^y taxes.” 

“The [>eo])le i)ay no taxes, such as you have refer- 
ence to,” he replied. “The BOVAi/riES collected for 
minerals and timber, is sufficient to pay the operating 
expenses of the railroads and other free public institu- 
t c?i , together with other necesrary exi^enses of the 
government. These ‘royalties’ cannot })e judiciously, 
distributed in any other manner, as it is the joint prop- 
el u oi me whole commonwealth. 


58 


THE LIGHT OE EDEN 


“Supposing out of one mine we can produce $1,000 
worth of minerals per day, with an outlay of $100 
for labor and machinery; the $900 is the royalty, 
which belongs to the government —out of a good {)ay- 
ing mine the discoverer is entitled to a pension, which is 
determined in a similar manner as of inventions— out 
of each mine, from one thousand to one million <lollars 
yearly, may be collected in royalty.’’ 

“But, is not royalty on minerals and timber, consid- 
ered as indirect tax on the people?” I asked. “As 
otherwise, these commodities could be put on the 
market as much cheaper accordingly.” 

^^There are several reasons,*’ said he, “why it is not 
considered a tax on the people, and in order to avoid 
monopolies it is necessary to collect ro3"alty— it is 
simpl}^ a remumeration for s])ecial privileges. 

“Supposing, that from one or a few mines, ten tons of 
coal can be produced, for eveiy day’s labor expended; 
and from the majority of mines only five tons of coal 
t‘an be produced, through expending the same amount 
of labor. Is it an\' more than justice, that those who 
enjo\ the privilege of operating the best producing 
mines — or the best agricultural land— should pay a 
royalty ? which is the diflerence in the cost of produc- 
tion between the best few, and the average majorit} . 
No royalty is charged for the privilege of operating 
mines, from which there can only be ])roduced the ex- 
act amount to ottset the dav’s labor.” 

“Why could you not take all the minerals from the 
mines which produce the most, for the least expense?” 
I inquired. 

“Not any more than we could rise all the grain to 


59 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

supply the people on one hundred acres of the best 
land,” he replied. “There are natural reasons which 
forbid it. And only a certain number of men could 
be employed, wh’c i would throw the other > out of em- 
plo3'ment. I have ha ned, thit at one ime in our 
country’s history, this was practicallv' d monstrated. 
A few dictators, under a corporation tiction-name, 
bono^ht uj) the best paying iron mines, and operated by 
improved machinery, which enabled them to place iron- 
ore aboard cars at a total outlay of fifty cents per ton. 
They made contracts with all the steel manufacturers 
in the coi ntry to furnish ore for $2.5 ) per ton; thus 
closing all the iron mines which coulel not produce ore 
for $2,50 per ton— closing- all except three or four- — 
consequently turning the largest portion of the miners 
out to starve. The $2 per ton, which as royalty be- 
longed to the government, went into the cotters of 
those ravenous accumulators. 

‘"The royalty, is the best and only burdenless method 
of raising revenue for the maintenance of government 
institutions. It is not a tax on the peo])le but a gift 
or iiihci iuiiice from nature’s treasury —the storehouse 
of nature. 

“Each municipality provides for its own distribution 
and street-railway system, and other kn^al expenses, for 
which purpose the revenue derived from ground-rent is 
intended to serve. The national government places the 
commodities in the different warehouses throughout the 
country, free of trans})ortation charges. Each store 
or warehouse is debted with the amount of goods it 
receives, at the i)roducer’s price; and on a certain date, 
each quarter annually, they are requested to make a 


60 THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

settlement with the national government.’’ 

‘‘This must be an immense saving to the consumer?.” 
I interrupted. “As it is in America; - a farmer, in the 
agricultural district, produces butter, and sells it to a 
commission man for six or eight cents per pound; the 
later sells it to a wholesale merchant and adds three or 
four cents profit; the wholesaler — who frequently ma- 
ni pules to obtain- monopoly, or what is known as ‘cor- 
ner on staple products — shi[)s it to a mining country 
and advances it another five cents; the transportation 
monopolies adds an other two or three cents per pound; 
and at last, the retail merchant finishes the lucrative 
chain of extortion, by adding his profit of from six to 
ton cents. The same butter, for which the })roducer 
received six cents, is now sold to factory employees or 
miners — the consumer — for twenty-tive cents; or four 
times the producer’s price. 

“’Through the sim})le explanation, which you have 
given me, I have learned the reason why the American 
producer cannot sell his j)roducts for enough to p'ay 
the necessary expenses, and at the same time the con- 
sumer complains of high prices, and cannot afford to 
l)uy. Now if the agriculturist wants any of the miner’s 
or maniifactui-er’s products, it is the same hoodwink 
process. Supposing the cost of producing coal to be 
SI, 25 j.er ton, out of which, the miner who mines it 
receives 75 cents, the 50 cents being required for the 
wear of machinery and other operating ex[)enses of the 
mine; the mine owner — who in all probability lives in 
a forein country — receives from to ^^^2 royaltv, 
which you have explained to me belongs to the whole 
commonwca.th; the traii'ipoitation octopus, which ex- 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


61 


torts arbitrary dividends out of nearly all commodities 
produced or consumed within the nation, receives from 
$2 to |2,50 per ton; and the retail dealer adds an other 
dollar, as profit; thus making the coal cost to the con- 
sumer — or the farmer who produced the butter — from 
$5 to $10 per ton. This, I learn from your system, is 
greatly improved. When the farmer sells his butter for 
twenty cents per pound, and buys the coal for $3 per 
ton. And the miner buys the same butter for twenty- 
two cents per pound —the two cents being the margin 
added for shrinkage — and receives $1,25 for mining a 
ton of coal; while the government receives an average 
royalty of $1,50 per ton.” 

“What a ridiculous system you are practicing over 
in America!” exclaimed Mr. Albin. “You Americans 
fail to comprehend, that at the same time as a man is 
a ))ro(lucer he is a consumer, and when a system bene- 
fits the consumer it is a universal benefit to all — the 
vast army of non-producers, which was a do r in our 
society some generations ago, have transposed to pro- 
ducers. If you allow your royalties to be stolen by 
monstrous trusts and corporations, it is equal to allow 
yourself, to be robbed by pickpockets, and the 
victim of this plundrery fis the producer only’.” 

“But, in America we do not style this as robbery, as 
it is done with legal consent,” said I. 

“What do you mean by legal consent?” Inquired 
Mr. Albin. 

‘ 'Stolen according to law. ” I replied. 

“Great Heavens!” he exclaimed. “Is it not a crime 
to steal in any manner? legally or otherwise. What 
moral gives any man the right to steal from his fellow 


62 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


beings the inheritance of nature?” 

“It is not moral but legal,” I replied. “In America 
we call a crime of such nature ‘legal manipulations’, or 
one man taking ad\'antage of the other, or taking 
advantage of the system.” 

“One man taking advantage of the other!” he ejacu- 
lated. “That is the only offence, which among us, is 
considered a crime. A man committing an overact, is 
treated as insane, but when a man succeeds, through 
cunning manipulations, to get the upper hand over his 
fellow men, that could never be styled as insanity; but 
as the most contemptible crime against humanity. The 
punishment for a crime of such character, if sufficient 
proof could be obtained — which would be very easy in 
Amerka, Avhere all the royalties from minerals and 
timber are feloniously appropriated by private indi- 
viduals — a man would be subject to five years restraint 
in the reformatory.” 




CHAPTER IX 

Y this time the train had reached the outskirts of 
Centerville, and on looking through the coach- 
windows, I saw the beautiful gardens and resi- 
dences in all directions. "‘This must be a real paradise.” 
I remarked. 

"Tt is an inland city, inhabited principally by farm- 
ers,” said Mr. Albin. “The farmers in this country 
prefer to live in settled districts, in a neat cottage with 
a beautiful garden around it. The cars, of course, are 
free to ride on, which will carry people to every ad- 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


63 


joining farming district. This enables the farmers to 
enjoy social life, and afford their children proper edu- 
cation, instead of living isolated from civilization and 
rearing posterity to illiterate society scum.” 

After visiting a sample store, where we had a re- 
freshment drink, we entered the Telegraph office and 
sent a couple dispatches. It was a curiosity for me, 
to send a telegraph message free of charge. 

We spent about three hours in the city. After 
attending to some minor l)usiness matters, we visited 
several beautiful {)arks and places of amusement. 

Mr. Albin suggested that we return home with the 
Flyer, which was due to leave in an other half hour. 
1 consented, and when near the hour, we entered the 
central station, where the monstrous air-ship was in 
readiness to receive its passengers and mail. 

On (questioning about its construction etc. Mr. Albin 
explained to me, that the large fans on both sides, and 
the huge propeller in the rear, with its immense veloci- 
ty, were the moli\ eties which rushed the mammoth ves- 
sel through the atmosphere. He added by explaining 
that it was the invention of William Leonard, a manu- 
facturer of Harisville. 

“No doubt Mr. Leonard made a big thing out of his 
invention.” 1 remarked. 

“1 don’t understand your remarks,” said Mr. Albin. 
“Please explain, Mr. Richard, how could it be possible 
to make such a big thing out of an invention f ’ 

“That is easy explained,” said I. “In America the 
national government grants an inventor the exclusive 
right to manufacture and sell his invention, or dispose 
of his exclusive privilege, in whole or in part, or allow 


64 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


others to manufacture and sell on payment of what is 
termed a ‘royalty’. In short he can do with it just 
what he pleases — can prevent any one from making a 
duplicate, or he need not utilize his right or his inven- 
tion at all. This peculiar privilege extends for a period 
of 17 years, at the ogaration of which time, he may at 
option, make some slight imi)rovements, and take out 
a new patent on the strenght of such improvements — 
which is frecpiently done — then this peculiar grant is 
extended an other 17 years etc. hence j)erpetual.” 

“•Why! The governmet encourages mono[)oly!” ex- 
claimed Mr. Albin. “That is the rankest kind of mo- 
nopoly, is it not ^ To me it looks so unreasonable, that 
I can hardly realize how a civilized people can submit 
to it. Does it not give the one who puts the finishing 
touch to an invention the full benefit for the brain-work 
or labor of hundreds others, or the fruit of the brains 
of several generations, through which his last touch is 
made possible ^ Is it not like having a number of men 
building a house, and award the one puting the finishing 
touch on, in full for the labor of all the others? 

“An invention cannot be credited exclusively to the 
brains of one person. Take this electric air-ship, for 
instance; scientists have strained their brains for gene- 
rations, experimenting in electricity; mechanics have 
developed their part; in fact, everything about it was 
contrived by other men, exept^ perhaps the sim* pie 
scheme of combining the other’s contrivances. Does it 
now look reasonable, or judicious, to clothe this man 
with a perpetual, or even a 17 year monopoly, of a 
device to which he has only contributed the finishing 
touch? And having a complete monopoly, he can set 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


65 


the price to suit his own caprice. The question is 
simply this: ^H€us Hoclety arvy right to the henefit of the 
progrenx of Inve^itum.^ afte^r fitrnMlng the condltlom 
which oiuke; tJ4s linumtlort^ p(>><slhlef The individual can 
certainly have no claim on anything but the products 
of his own ell'orts. 

^‘To pi^ove still further, that no one man ever was, 
nor will be>, lK)th originator and perfector of an inven- 
tion. Supposing you rear a child, with the best of un- 
cultivated brains, in the midst of wild Africa, and give 
him no education of any kind; what inventive ideas 
will his brains bring forth ^ But, give him the 
advantage of all the discoveries generated through the 
ages of history — give him the highest education pos- 
sible — he is then as much in advance of the raw Afri- 
cans, as the age of civilization. 

‘^To judge by the information I have from America” 
contmue<l Mr. Albin, ‘"The encouragement given 
inventors has produced evils, which are worse than 
slower progress. While labor saving machinery should 
be a blessing to labor, it is a curse. Instead of a dabor 
saving device, it is a lahor and laborer destriwtioc device. 

It is evident that your lalK)r saving machinery has run 
far ahead of your ])olitical science; your laborers are 
idle while the machinery does their work — takes the 
bread from their mouths. Would it not be better to 
have social inavdiinerv advance simultaneously with 
physical machinery^ Are not many people over in 
America su tiering [)Overty, as a result of governmental 
ignorance of natural laws^ We encourage inventions 
even here, where we deem our social machinery is per- 
fexjt aulonHitic.” % 


es 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


“Please explain how you encourage inventions here,” 
said I. “Mysterious, as it seems to me, you are far in 
a(i\ ance of the Americans in inventive devices.” 

“In this country,” he replied. “The inventor sends 
his drawings and models to expert examiners, who re- 
p'orts upon them to congress; where they are voted 
upon, and determined how much of a premium shall 
be oriven to the inventor. The invention itself is com- 
mon pro[)erty. One tenth of the premium is paid 
annually, for ten successive years — the unpaid residue 
being subject to repeal at any time. This power of 
repeal is a wise provision. When we find that an in- 
vention has disapointed the expectations — that it don’t 
come 10 to the utility which the inventor claims for it, 
then further pa5unent of premium is stopped. 

“The premiums range* all the way from $5 up to 
Most of the applications of course, are re- 
jected as worthless, that is, no premium is allowed.” 

‘T>oes it not give o portunity for the examiner of 
iventions to take bribes P’ I inquired. “Since on his 
recommendation depends the amount of the premium.” 

“Certainly not,” replied Mr. Albin. “It is to his 
interest to make honest reports to congress; otherwise 
his bonds will be forfeited, and all fraudulent reports 
he may have acted upon be annulled. Besides, in any 
event, the repeal clause guards against further payment 
than one year’s premium. So you see, bribing is un- 
profitable, as well as dangerous.” 

“Does the government manufacture the machines and 
put them on the market for sale?” I asked. 

‘‘No, the government simply prints details and draw- 
ings, and prescribes their intended utility, and places 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


67 


such drawings and specilications on tile at the various 
sample stores throughout the country, for public in- 
spection. Then any person may at his own desire take 
up the new invention, and manufacture and sell.” 

We adjourned our conversation on the subject of 
inventions, and made a thorough examination of the 
ship’s machinery and inventory; after which, we made 
liberal use of a large telescope, which the Captain had 
in his cabin. Here I beheld bird’s-eye view of several 
beautiful cities, and the scenery was something grand. 

Being a moonlight evening, as it was, it certainly 
made a picturesque sight. The illuminous satellite 
casting his reflective light on the Earth, made it appear 
to us like a distant planet, and at times I imagined we 
were wandering in space. Sudddenly our planetary 
journey was ended, as we descended into the central 
station at Goldbury. Each passenger was requested to 
pay a fare of $5 for enjoying the luxury of an air- jour- 
ney — the air-ship is owned and operated by private 
individuals, and considered only a luxury. 


CHAPTER X 

^I^^OTHiNG could ever deligLr. me more than did a 
message which I received the the next day, and 
upon opening, immediately noticed that it was 
signed “Viola Hartford”. My heart fairly bounded 
with joy, when I read its contents and learned that it 
was an invitation, to Harry Blanchard and myself to 
dine with the E^irtford family on that day. 

I looked at the large electric clock which registered 


THE LIGHT OF EDJLV 


1, p. m. and knowing that the customary dinner-hooT 
was 2, p’. m. The distance was forty miles, and only 
one hour in which time to get there. Looking at the* 
register, I observed and read “Next car for Farming" 
ton leaves 1,15 p. m. arrives in Farmington 2, p. m”.- 
Th L registers, which are conspicuously placed in all 
hotels, and public buildings, are operated by electric 
wires from the central station, where one man is con- 
stantly attending to that business, or department. 

We immediately directed our steps across the park 
and into the central station, which was two blocks away.- 
On reading my message again, as I was seated in the 
car, 1 noticed that an answer was requested. Not being 
familiar with the manner of their public service, I 
asked a gentleman sitting beside me, how I could send 
a message from the car ? 

“That’s very easy,’^ said he. “Over in the other end 
of the ear is a writing-tablet, where you can make out 
your message, then drop it in that box beside the door, 
which is emptied at all stations, and all messages found 
therein are given to the station mastei’, who immediate- 
ly transmits them to their destinations. ” 

This eased me up greatly, at the same time thinking, 
“what a wonderfully regulated system, and all free of 
charge, the promihed Paradise we must have entered 
at last”. The thought often occured to me, if my ex- 
perience was real or only imaginary --"-if it was possible 
that parts of the Earth could have been transjjosed 
from barbarism and grief, to a civilization of hajipiness. 

The car sped rapidly towards Farmington, where we 
arrived three minutes late, due to the fmusual number 
of passengers getting on and off at intermediate sta- 


rm: light of ?:dfn 


tions. On inquiring for llartfords, we were immedi- 
ately directed, by tbe. station porter, to a certain street- 
ear, which we boarded, and in less than two minutes 
stopped in front of the Hartford I’esidence. 

This was a most inagnihcently beautified place, one 
of the handsomest and most comfortable residences I 
ever saw; surrounded by a large gaixlen, with various 
kinds of fruit-t rees, rosebushes, and vegetation of be- 
wildering varieties. 

Miss Viola met us at the entrance and escorted us 
into the house. With one of her charming smiles, and 
n handshaking, she gave us a hearty welcome^ 

“Is it too late,” she commenced, after we had enter- 
ed the parlor, “for me to express my regret for our 
abrupt parting at the ball on that memorable night?” 

“I was very sorry,” 1 replied. “But it could not 
have been avoided; the assembly was so large, that we 
were swept away by the throng.” 

At this juncture the dinner-bell sounded, and Viola 
directed us into the beautifully adorned dining room, 
and introduced us to the family. 

Viola questioned if we had any objection to music 
with our diner? whereuixin we replied, that it would be 
very pleasing. She immediately arose from the table, 
and went over to a register on the wall, and moved one 
or two screws, and at once the room was filled with the 
music of a piano, i listened, scarcely breathing. The 
music was so perfectly rendered that it was astonishing. 

“Grand!” I exclaimed, as the last great wave of the 
beautiful sound ebbed away into silence. “The old 
joker must be at the keys of that piano, but where is 
the piano?" 


70 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


“Wait a moment please,” said Viola. “I want to 
have you listen to this waltz, I think it is perfectly 
charming.” As she thus spoke, the room was filled 
with a most exquisite air, produced by violins. 

As the SOI! I of this last selection had also reposed to 
quietus, she said: “There is nothing in the least mys- 
terious about that music, as you seem to think. It is 
not made by mystics or genii, but by exeedingly clev- 
er human hands. We have simply carried the labor- 
saving scheme, into our musical service, as well as into 
everything eke. There are a number of music-rooms 
in the city, perfectly adopted to the difi'erent sorts of 
music. These rooms are connected by telephone with 
all the residences, whose occupants desire music, and 
cares to pay the small fee. By observing the program 
you will see, there are four different concerts simultane- 
ously performed, and any of the four pieces that you 
prefer, you can hear by arranging the key which con- 
nects your house-wire with the music-room where such 
selection is being rendered. The programme lasts 
from 12 o’clock noon til 12 o’clock midnight.” 

After the dinner was over I entered into a social chat 
with Mr. Hartford. He was a tall slender gentleman, 
to my judgement about fifty years old, but which sur- 
prised me, when I learned that he was considerable past 
the hundred mark. 

“Learning that you have no millionairs, I suppose,” 
said I, “that inheritance of property is not allowed in 
your country?” 

“There is no interference with it,” replied, Mr. 
Hartford. “As you learn to know us, you will find 
that there is far less interference with personal liberty 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


71 


here, than in the country from whence you came.” 

‘‘What is to prevent such accumulations of valuable 
goods and chattels in the hands of individuals, as in 
course of time may develop into serious proper ty-ty- 
rany?” I asked. 

“That matter arranges itself very simply,” he re- 
plied. “Under our present social system, accumulations 
of property are merely bui*densome the moment the\ 
exceed what adds to comfort and enjoyment. In the 
old barbarian days, if a man had a house full of gohi 
and silver ware, expensive furniture; and vaults full ol 
paper slips, called ‘bonds’ — the later which are a thing 
of the past — he was considered rich, for these things 
represented money, and could at any time be exchanged 
for it. Nowadays nothing but lahar represents money, 
and money can be obtained for labor, or the products 
of labor only. Under our present system, if a person 
should inherit a fortune composed of chattels and mon- 
ey — land is no longer a commodity, to be bartered by 
dead generations — he could not advantageously dispose 
of such chattels, because our people are all in condition 
to buy new articles, which is much preferable to second 
hand goods; hence it would be of very little value to 
him, exept for their actual use and enjoyment. The 
money of course, he could use to expend for his living. 
But if the individual did not produce anything, or })er- 
form any labor himself, his inherited accumulations 
would soon end, and circumstances would force him to 
become of some use or benefit to society (a i)roduccrj. 
or starvation would be next on the programme. 

‘Tt is not solely the inheritance of wealth, which has 
built up a dictatorial aristocracy in America, but the 


72 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


power which such has to increase^ through your cor- 
rupt tinancial system. A device which enables them to 
live in luxury off the fruit of their fellow men’s toil^ 
and at the same time their wealth mcreasingy instead of 
decreasing; while they themselves produce nothing, or 
are any benefit for the subsistence of the human 
family. Interest on tictitious 'ca})ital’ (imagination), is 
the jirincipal cause to this opulent power.” 

‘‘Then you hold that it is through interest on such as 
‘bonds’ and ‘mortgages’ which enables people to become 
millionairs?” I asked. 

*Tt is only through interest and monopoly which 
makes it jiossible for any man to become a millionair,” 
he re})lied. “No individual, by his own exertion, can 
])roduce more than five or six dollars worth of wealth 
per day, for that reason we have the standard of wages 
five dollars. In America, where the millionairs pros- 
per, you have the average wages only about $1,50. 

“According to mathematical reason, how do you 
suppose it could be possible for a man to become a 
millionair by earning $1,50 per day ^ Even here, where 
the standard of wages is $5 per day, we have no mill- 
ionairs. You will also recollect, that your American 
millionairs are very extravagent, and in good many 
cases, their living expenses exceeds $5 and even $10 
|)er day. This, together with the fact that they pro- 
duce nothing, is a positive proof that some other men 
must conti nually be working for them as slaves.” 

“But I still fail to see” said 1, “how you can prevent 
great accumulations of wealth and money. Supposing 
several generations should become successive heirs, and 
each successor accumulate and add as much as his capa- 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


73 


bility would allow him, would it not, in course of time, 
create great riches?” 

“You are not a philosopher Mr. Richard,” said he. 
“I will try to make it more explicit for you. Supposing 
a man should work every working day from the time 
he was twenty till he was lifty years old, and all that 
time earn live dollars per day; if he lived economical 
and spent nothing in luxury and enjoyment of life — 
only his bare necessities — his total expenses, would in 
all probability, not exceed one dollar per day. If he 
worked 3O0 days in the year, it would make ^1,200, or 
$36,000 in thirty years — this l)eing the average amount 
which one man, through his own exertion, can possibly 
accumulate. If every sole heir should inherit his an- 
cestor’s wealth, and add the $36,000 of his own acquire- 
ment, and leave the whole for his descendants, etc. it 
would recjuire twenty-eight successive generations, or a 
period of about 8(X) years, before one million dollars 
could be accumulated. Basing the same mathematical 
calculation on American wages, it would require a peri- 
od of over 30()0 years to amass one million dollars. 

“If Christ had lived til now, and all the time labored 
for American wages (nearly 1900 years) and saved 
the whole of his earnings —not ev^en paid his board-bill- 
he would have been $150,000 short of hoarding one 
million dollars. 

“We will now plunge into the mathematical problem 
of INTEREST. Supposing Columbus, when he landed on 
the American shores, had lent out one dollar at seven 
per cent interest, which compounded will double its 
principal in ten years, he would, up to this day, have 
acquired the enormous ligure of more than one thou- 


74 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


sand million dollars, which if measured in gold, at the 
rate of twenty-five grains to the dollar, would make 
1,700,000 tons, or a solid mass of 2,000,000 cubic feet, 
if ten feet high would cover about one and a half acre of 
ground. Another notable difierence between interest and 
wages is this, the former will increase and accumulate 
whether the accumulator is healthy or sick, living or 
dead, while the later ceases together with the person’s 
physique or physological strength. 

“This simple philosophical illustration accounts for 
that we have no millionairs among us.” 

By this time I was convinced that no law was neces- 
sary to prevent hereditary accumulations, as 1 could 
plainly see, that it was principally through the interest 
source that any great hoardings were made possible. 

After conversing some on other subjects, I addressed 
Ml'S. Hartford, and asked this question: “How have 
you dis{)Osed of the problem of domestic serviced? Who 
are willing to be domestic servants in a society were all 
are social equals? Our ladies find it hard even in Amer- 
ica, where there is little pretence in social equalty. ” 

“We have very little need of any domestic service,” 
replied Mrs. Hartford. ‘“Only in case of special emer- 
gencies in the household; such as extensive cleaning and 
renovating, or sickness in the family. Then we can 
always secure assistance, by giving notice in the want- 
bulletin, sbiting what service recpiired, and the wages 
we desirei to pay — which in mos teases, is the regular 
wages of five dollars per day.” 

‘‘Then you pay youi* female service the same as that 
of males?” said 1. 

“(Certainly,” she replied. “Why should not the ser- 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


76 


vice of a female be worth as much as the same service 
of a male? Why should the feminine population be 
held in lower esteem among society, and be respected 
less than the males? I understand that the feminine 
population is respected highly in America, in the way 
of being forced to work in factories at starvation wa- 
ges; and in nearly all branches of industry, exept min- 
ing and lumbering, are doing the work of the males. 
Among us it is entirely difference, all are equally re- 
spected and esteemed. The feminine inhabitants are 
doing such part of the work as is suited to their ability, 
such as housework etc. 

“Our washing is done at the laundries cheaper than 
we could do it at homo,” continued Mrs. Hartford. 
“Our cooking is all done by electricity, which makes it 
very easy work. Electricity of course, is used alto- 
gether for heating and lighting. We choose houses no 
larger than we need, and furnish them so as to involve 
the minimum of trouble to keep them in order. Order- 
ing groceries is mostly done by telephone; so you see 
we have nearly abrogated the need of domestic service.” 

Just here Viola’s little sister came in, highiy elated, 
and said: “Come let us take a drive up to grand-ma's” 

“In another half hour,” answered Viola, smiling. 

“Mr* Richard and Mr. Blanchard, this is my little 
sister Dora; and this Dora, is Mr. Richard and Mr. 
Blanchard, our visitors from America.” 

“If your sister was as fond of driving as you are. 
Miss Dora,” said I, “you would be out driving often.” 

“Yes she is!” said Dora. “We do go out driving 
every afternoon, after I come home from school; then 
we have all the time to ourselves, and we choose driving 


76 THE LIGHT OF HDEN 

as the most pleasure.” 

•‘Since it would please Dora” said Viola. “If you 
like, may take a drive out to Grand-ma’s, she lives 
on Garden Terrace, three miles from here.” 

“Nothing could be more pleasure to me, let us be off 
at once!” I declared. 

We left Harry chattering wth Mr. Hartford. Little 
Dora led the way to the carriacfe, and kept us with hu- 
morous conversation as we drove along the shady 
streets. On our way back Miss Viola aluded to an 
historical incident, relating to the reformers of half a 
century ago, who had fought the battle for peace and 
liberty. To my chagrin we reached the house before 
1 could learn the full particulars on the subject. But 
as we were leaving the carriage. Miss Viola said: 

“We have hardly reached the subject which I wished 
to speak to you about. There is a romance connected 
with those historical heroes, which will interest you to 
know, I am sure. Have you an egagement for Thurs- 
day evening?” 

“It will be my greatest pleasure to call upon you at 
any time.” I replied. 

“Well then,” she said, ‘4f it suits you, let us devote 
Thursday evening to the story of our heroes, who 
made this country what it is.” 

“That will, be^^ond doubt, be my greatest pleasure.” 
I concurred. 

“Thursday evening sure,” she said, with a parting 
smile, just as Harry Blanchard came and interrupted 
us, with the information that our car would be due to 
leave in another cou[)le of minutes. 




CHAPTER X( 

H aving nearly forgotten my appointmen, the next 
morning, with Mr. Jasper — a shoe manu- 
facturer of Centerville, with whom I made 
acquaintance on my visit to that city and noticing that 
it was nearing the time, 1 immediately entered the cen- 
tral station, where the train was now arriving, on which 
he was aboard. 

As we walked down the street, and passed the post- 
oflSce and exchange building, I noticed a man coming 
out from there with a bundle of paper-money, carrying 
it carelessly in his hand. It remain /U me of a few 
ameriean gold coins, which I hatl in my pocket, and I 
inquired if American money would pass current here?” 

]Mr. Jasi)er examined them, smiled, and said: “You 
will have no trouble in disposing of them at a high 
j)rice. We will go to the city warehouse, where they 
buy all kinds of (X)mmodities at marl^t value.” 

•‘But, will not the Banks exchange them for native 
iuoney^' 1 asked. 

•"Banks!” he echoed, “why they are just as far back 
in history as the gold-coin money. All our money-ex- 
change business is done through the post-office. As to 
gold or metal money, we found that it was too clumsy 
/Hid cumbersoipe, also too scarce; besides we considered 
it a lahor vmsting device. That man you saw coming 
out from the exchange building with the bundle, had in 
all probability over ten thousand dollars, which in gold 
coins, would make a bulk weight of about 40 pounds. 


78 


THE LIOHT OF EDEN 


All our commercial transactions are done with cash, even 
our employees are paid in cash — we use no discount 
checks, and thirty days in arrears, in paying our em- 
ployees — hence we avoid the trouble of book-keeping 
and collecting. Our money volume is sufficient,^:-. 
and adequate to perform the office of a medium of ex- 
change instead of a wealth-absorbing medium — a labor 
saving device, instead of a ‘labor wasting device\ 

“The post-office and exchange departments are oper- 
ated in conjunction. A manufacturer, or agriculturist, 
after delivering his products aboard cars, to be shipped 
to any point the governmet' may desire, receives from 
the insj/cctor a certiheate of the quantity and quality of 
the goods so delivered. Then takes this certiticate to 
the government warehouse, where he receives an order 
for the amount coming to him, according to the market 
value of the goods — which is identically the same, on 
the same quality of goods, in all parts of the country. 
This order he presents at the exchange, where he is paid 
in full. If he does not desire to carry the money in 
his pocket, he can leave it with the exchange depart- 
ment, and receive a certiticate of deposit, this he can 
get cashed in any exchange office in the country.” 

“I suppose the government pays a small per cent of 
interest on such money left with it on deposit,’^ said I. 

“Certainly not!” he exclaimed. “Why should the 
government pay anything for'the use of money, which 
it can turn out by the billion? Besides, the government 
being the sole manufacturer. And furthermore, where 
should this what you call ‘interest’ come from?” 

“From the borrower of course.” I answered. “If a 
man earns a few dollars by hard work, is it any more 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


79 


than right that he should derive some profit from it?” 

“When a man borrows money from the government, 
he is required to return only the principal, either in 
money, labor, or the products of labor. One per cent 
is deducted from the amount, at the time the borrower 
receives the loan, which is considered sufficient to cover 
all ex[)ense8. Borrowing however, is of rare occurence 
among us, as the volume of our circulating medium is 
adequate to conduct the country’s commerce on strictly 
cash bas^s. 

“Because a man penuriously saves a few dollars by 
his labor, that is no reason why he should be elevated 
to a master and have other people working for him as 
his slaves. If such depositor receives interest, it is a 
direct eft'ect on the producer; hence the laborer who 
frugally saves up a few dollars with the expectation 
that they shall bear fruit, must remember that such 
fruit has to come from his own pocket; that is, he is 
himself directly injured, in the way of small wages. 

Supposing a man was engaged in the manufacturing 
enterprise, and was forced to borrow $1,000 by which 
to purchase raw material and to conduct his business; 
if he was com]}elled to pay $100 yearly premium, it is 
clearly evident that such premium, or interest had to 
come through his employees’ efi'orts; hence less wages. 
And again, these employees performing $100 worth of 
work for the usurer, at the rate of five dollars per day, 
would it not be equal, to him commanding one man to 
work for him twenty days in the year as his slaved 
Then if a man had $15,000 to loan out, he would have 
one man out of society constantly laboring for him as 
his slave, and he himself sit down in the shade, and 


80 


THE LIGHT OF EDEE 


enjoy the luxuries and comforts of life, while his busy 
slave is producin;sr these things for him. You have live 
men in the semi-civilized world whose fortunes aggre* 
gate over one billion dollars, which are nearly all lent 
out on interest, or drawing dividends in some manner 
or other. Basing the calculation on American wages, 
how many slaves out of the producing society do you 
suppose these men command? It is simply disgraceful; 
the vast army of nearly 160,000 toilers are daily con- 
tributing^ ^1,50 each, out of the fruits of their elfort, 
to these Great Flag a! 

“This system is superior to the chattel slavery in this 
respect: The hevihinan need nM cate for hln herd! 

This plainly illustrates that the interest on the laboring 
man’s few penuriously saved up dollars does not amount 
to more than a pail of water emptied into the ocean, 
while he is injured by the usury slavery, comparatively 
as though he carried the whole of Mount Himalayas on 
his shoulders. 

‘‘Scarcer you make money, more interest it will de- 
mand, and lessen price on labor and the products of 
lal)or. Su})posing your legislators nmde a law to the 
effect, that all the grain consumed in the country, had 
to be measured in bushel-measures, then limited such 
bushel-measures to a very small and .inadequate num- 
ber; how could you utilize one measure to do the work 
of ten? It is evident that they would command a hi<fli 
premium, and those who could not affoi-d to pay this 
extortion would have to go hungry, and scantly sub- 
sist on the crums from the tables of the ricli. 

“Here, if a man accidentally is compelled to borrow 
money, he is given every (*pportunity to get out of- 


THE LIGHT OF EDES 


81 


debt; not as 1 understand in America, every possible 
scheme the legislative power can devise, is used to 
force a man into debt.’' 

'‘But it amazes me,” said 1, '‘to learn that all the 
people 1 meet here are philosophers on the sociological 
question.” 

'‘That’s easily explained,” said he. "P>ery child is 
t taught it in the school; where he also must learn by 
heart, the political histories of all the principal nations 
on the globe.” 

We entered the government warehouse, and I went 
over to the inspecting clerk to sell my gold coins. He 
scrutinized, tested, and wighed them, then said; “Ac- 
cording to market value, they are worth 

1 was astonished, and exclaimed: ‘'One hundred 
dollars in Aliierican gold coins only worth -$10! And 
a laborer’s wages here is live dollars; hence according 
to the American money-standard, you pay yoiir laborers 
^50 per day. ” 

I also had a $10 U. S. Greenback, and let him exam- 
ine it; and 1 was no less surprised than before, when he 
said: “You will get $10 for it, at the exchange.” 

I could not understand their money basis, and asked, 
how it was, that a paper slip could be worth $10, when 
$100 in gold coins were worth no moref' 

“Our money” replied the clerk, “is based upon labor. 
The reason, why your }mper certificate is wort SlO, ia 
that we import several articles of goods from America, 
some of which we can buy cheai)er than we could pro- 
duce them at home, others we could not produce at all 
in our country; and the government that issued it ii 
perfectly responsible, and will accept such certiticate at 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


any tim6, in exhange for goods. Paper of course, is 
the easiest and safest conveyable medium. Gold we 
don’t use for money at all, as it is too expensive and 
clumsy material. The reason that it is not worth any 
more than the price I just quoted to you, is that it can 
be produced for that; and besides, for its utility, it is 
hardly wort as much — it is very slow selling — we can 
sell you tuns of it at that figure. Where it cannot be 
produced at that price, no sane man will trouble himself 
about it. But I surely think you can sell these gold 
coins at the museum, and get a high price for them; 
they buy all kinds of curiosities and old relics.” 

In the afternoon, in company with Mr. Jasper, 1 paid 
a visit to the museum, where I sold my gold coins for 
|50. The manager remarked that it was a tremendous 
price for gold; but it d^d not seem so to me, when 1 
only received fifty per cent of the face value of Ameri- 
can gold money. 


CHAPTER XII 

desire for information on their monetary sys- 
tern increased, finally I asked my companion 
this question: “How can labor be considered 
a safe and invariable base for money, when to our ex- 
perience in America, the labor market fluctuates more 
than anything else?” 

“Your money system is wrong!” he exclaimed. “La- 
bor never fluctuates. If it took a man a day to chop 
one cord of wood in 1865, would he not require the 
same lenght of time in 1891? unless he was relieved 


83 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

through inventive devices — which in our country, is a 
universal benefit to all the people. 

“When your money represents only one specified 
commodity, no matter how much or how little essential 
want is supplied thereby, you enhance the value on 
such. Let your money represent gold, silver, cop- 
per, or any other one commodity, as soon as the law 
says; your taxes can be paid only with such material 
or representation therof ; then it is in great demand, as 
ever}one must obtain the lawful article by which to 
pay his taxes, no matter how much labor or products 
of labor he is comi>elled to give in exchange therefore. 
Supposing a combination should obtain monopoly on 
the world’s production of such money-metal, and also 
on the mines from where it is produced, it would be 
equal to having a corner on the whole semi-civilized 
world — a perfect domination over the whole biased 
superstitious world. It would give a few impecunous in- 
dividuals the power, to at their own will, prostrate the 
commerce of the world, by simply witholding from 
use the medium of exchange; thereby causing destitu- 
tion and hunger among the producing masses. 

“The value of money is legal, and its purchasing 
power is depending upon the fidelity of the government 
that issued it, to honor its own obligations. Supposing 
you take a piece of leather, and have the government 
stamp upon it these words: “Receivable for $100 in 
taxes,” together with its signature. Who do you sup^ 
pose would refuse to accept such obligation, as long as 
they had fait in the government, and the government 
had jx)wer to collect taxes? It is the arbitrary power 
of the legislators to make any or all kinds of commod- 


S4 THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

ities receivable for taxes; an^ if any one commodity, ts 
given the preference over all the others, it has the 
greatest purchasing power, no matter what its intrinsic 
value may be. Again, refering to the piece of leather 
with the government’s stamp upon what intrinsic 
worth would it possess? yet it would pay $100 of taxes, 
or buy $100 worth of goods, 

“The blunder of your government, is in making the 
money payable instead of, what it ought to be, receiv- 
able. Supposing you had a number of tenants, occupy- 
ing your premises, on the conditions that each was to 
perform labor as payment for the rent, Not being an 
expert book-keeper, you prefer* the simple and more 
convenient method; that whenever any of your tenants 
perform. . a day’s work, gvive him a slip of paper, with 
the understanding that upon presenting the proper 
number of these slips, on a certain day each year, his 
rent would be receipted for in full. What would be 
the most proper inscription upon such certilicates ? *1 

promise to pay on demand’, or ‘1 promise to receive in 
payment for rent’? You may place yourself as the 
government, and your tenants as the people.” 

“You really confuse me Mr. Jasper!” said 1. •'Still 
it is not clear to me, why your money could not be 
based upon any commodity which could be produced in 
sufficient quantity to meet the demand or requirement; 
for instance silver.” 

“Silver would certainly be a hundred per cent prefer- 
able to gold,” he replied, "but even it could be mono- 
polized; and besides, it would be a labor wasting device 
just as great as the gold. You must always rememder, 
that the money is the tool of commerce, same as the 


JHK LIGHT OF EDEJS 


8-5 


plough to the farmer. Why not make such tool out of 
the cheapest obtainable material, as long as it will do 
the same service, and even better than the most exj)en‘ 
sive, and base it upon the foundation of all productiom 
Supposing you could buy a plough for one dollar; what 
else but prejudice or insanity, could lead you to pay 
$100 for one no better ^ that is, when the cheajjer would 
last fully as long, and by which you could do fully ns 
much work in the same length of time, as with the 
most expensive, 

“First, in natural order, is the mother earth, upon 
which everything is based, and from which all things 
cometh! Second, is labor, which is required in the 
production of all luxuries, enjoyments and essential 
wants of the human family. Third, is the product of 
labor, among which is gold, silver, and all other metals 
produced from the mother Earth. 

“This proves conclusively, that l<thor is the base or 
foundation for gold and all other commodities — the 
creator thereof. Why then, should the creations be 
made superior to their creator? — why should gold be 
made the base or foundation for labor? 

“Your American Imancial system is bottom side up, 
in other words, without foundation, and is liable to 
topple over at the first whiff of a commercial storm. 
Can a creator create anything greater than himself? 
Labor is first, labor is last, without labor we could not 
subsisti While you Americans are crying ‘free coinage 
of siiver’, you overlook the most essential part, which 
is ‘labor’; why not urge on the ‘free coinage of labor?” 

“But don’t you think, Mr. Jasper, that the Ameri- 
cans could obtain some relief through the free, and un- 


86 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

limited ooinage of silver, with or without goldT' 

‘•Certainly they could attain a temporary relief,” he 
replied. “The free coinag-e of silver,” said he, “would 
increase the money volume tifty per cent, and simultii- 
neously, increase the prices on labor and products at 
the same ratio; but it would only go half way towards 
prosperity; while ‘legal tender money, based upon la- 
bor, would restore and build up prosperity.” 

“But please explain, Mr. Jasper, what you mean by 
free coinage of labor?” said 1. 

“That’s easy explained,” he replied. ‘‘The govern- 
ment will employ all idle willing hands, at any and 
all times, at a stipulated wages — at present live dollars 
per day — paying therefore in government certiticates. 
The government also purchases, at market value 
— which is based on the amount of labor required in 
production — all commodities, produced by the indi- 
viduals. This simple arrangement, differ from the 
system in operation in America, in this respect; that 
over there, a man possessing twenty-live grains of gold, 
may take it to the mint and have it coined into a dollar^ 
and with it obtain anything to gratify his, desire, as 
far as the power of his dollar extends. Another man, 
possessed with the same natural ability, is compelled to 
starve, and be deprived of the gifts of nature, because 
he was not born fortunate enough to possess the gold. 
Here, a man can at any time, present his own natural 
ability to the government — perform service, or pro- 
duce commodities — and have exchanged into dollars; 
for which he can obtain anything to satisfy his wants 
and desire, as far as the power of his own natural abili- 
ty extends; thus, rw willing hcmds need go hv/ngry! 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


87 


“These certificates are based upon labor only, and 
redeemable in all such commodities purchased by the 
government — including gold and silver. Thus, for 
every such paper certificate issued by it, the govern- 
ment has commodities on hand, or improvements per- 
formed to a valu equal to every dollar in circulation. 

“Our constitution,” continued Mr. Jasper, “provides 
for the common >velfare of ail the people, also the pre- 
servation of life and liberty, and the pursuit of happi- 
ness. There certainly is no happiness in destitution; 
nor is there any common welfare among a people, to 
allow a favored class through special privileges absorb 
all the wealth. As I understand, liberty among you 
Americans is liberally extended to all, even to the low- 
er rank of society — at liberty to starve to death or 
commit suicide; become a tramp, or commit a crime 
and be incarcerated in jail. 

“The reason that our money is based upon labor, is 
that no man in a civilized country can live without it; 
unless he be a tramp or a criminal. Every sound indi- 
vidual is possessed with the natural ability to labor; 
hence you cannot deprive a man, wo is willing to work, 
of his livelihood.” 


CHAPTER XIII 

N the way going to the hotel, our conversation 
drifted on a subject which is of common discus- 
sion among the American people; and it also 
behooved myself to become thoroughly informed on the 
issue. After we had seated ourselves in the hotel par- 


88 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


lor, and had several debates, I tinally propounded this 
question: "‘When you have no international money- 
basis — money of the world- -how do you manage to 
have any dealings at all with foreign nations 

“I will answer your question by asking one,” he re- 
plied. ‘‘How do the Americans manage to etfect their 
commercial transactions with foreign nations f” 

“With gold money, of course,” I answered. 
“Certainly not!” he ejaculated. “Common sense 
ought to teach a man the folly of such ideas. 

“The yearly gold production of the whole world 
would not begin to pay for America’s yearly exports 
in excess of her im[)orts. Again considering the 
fact, that such surplus is over two hundred millions of 
dollars yearly, and you still ship your gold abroad, and 
become, dependent on other countries for your ‘idols’. 
What do you Americans receive in exchange for gold, 
when the trade-balance is in j^our favor ? You certain- 
ly don’t exchange gold for gold. You exchange one 
kind of commodities for another; same as we do. We 
exchange our own sur[)lus products for such surplus 
products of other nations as we may desire; some of 
which we can buy cheaper than we can produce them 
at home, others we cannot produce at all in our countr}^ 
“But it amuses me to learn the incon.sistency of the 
American laws. First, you pass a restriction act (tariff 
act) fixing a stipulated penalty on the importation of 
foreign goods. Then the same wiseaci'es that passed 
this vicious ‘tariff act’, pleads in high and broad lang- 
uage for ‘sound money’, ‘international money’, money 
with which you can buy goods from foreign countries’. 
They do not seem to understand the gross indiscretion 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 




of which they are guilty when they insist on having 
money that will enable you to purchase goods from 
foreign countries, and at the same time make laws to 
prevent you from doing so. 

“Our money which is based upon actual labor, and 
redeemable in all kinds of commodities, is sufficient 
protection in itself — not perplexity. It is more than 
tifty years since we learned that the tariff-law, was not 
only superfluous on our statute books, but also an im- 
pediment to the progress of civilization. 

“Whatever nation being desirous of purchasing any 
of our commodities will readily accept our certificates 
(money) as they can exchange them for real valuables 
at leasure.” 

“But under free-trade, which also means free compe- 
tition between nations, when your standard of wages is 
$5 per day, and six hours for a day’s work, how can 
you compete with other nations, where the standard of 
wages is only about one dollar for ten hours?” I asked. 

“We don’t intend to compete with other nations,” he 
replied; “nor do we desire to. No nation with their 
cheap labor can afford to sell us their goods, and re- 
ceive our high priced commodities in exchange; unless 
it should be some certain kind which they could not 
produce in their own country. Hence through the 
simple method of using money which represents labor, 
also high wages — instead of money with an imaginary 
‘value’, and starvation wages — we have accomplished 
what other nations have pondered on for many centu- 
ries; namely ‘protection We are automatically pro- 
tecting our domestic industry withouth the enormous 
expense of custom-service.” 


00 


TEE LIGHT OF EDEN 


“But I am still somewhat confused about your auto- 
matic protection,” said I. “It don’t seem poossible that 
you have solved the great tariff problem through those 
little, Insignificant paper slips, which you call money.” 

“Practical demonstrations ought to convince you on 
that matter,” he replied. “For argument sake, we 
will suppose that you had a storehouse full of merchan- 
dise; would you employ guard to protect your goods 
from being carried away, or would you have him pre- 
vent anyone from bringing goods into your storehouse? 
The latter would seem more like a case of insanity than 
anything else, yet your American law-makers are that 
insane. It is your tool of commerce (money) you 
should prevent from going abroad; make money with 
an obligatory return to it — with no intrinsic value, and 
redeemable in your own commodities only — then you 
may be at ease in that it will all find its way back to 
your shores; and if any should be lost, the government 
that issued it would be the gainer.” 

“But our American protective tariff is intended to 
protect the workingman,” said 1. 

“Please be a little more explicit Mr. Richard; in 
what manner can the tariff' benefit or protect the labor- 
ingnien P’ he inquired. 

■ “It guards against the importation of foreign goods 
and gives employment to domestic workmen,” I replied. 

“What a silly notion!” he exclaimed. “According 
to such fanatical ideas, I suppose the American work- 
men are constantly busying themselves in feeding and 
clothing the whole semi-civliized world. The Americans 
must certainly be very industrious people. I only wish 
that we had them for neighbors, and we could pro- 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


91 


vide them with plenty of employmnet. Our people 
don’t care about laboring any more than absolutely 
necessary. It is now a public sentiment to reduce the 
general working-time to four hours per day. High 
age is more desirous, among our people, than hard 
work; we do not appreciate flattery enough to en- 
courage us to work ourselves to death, for the purpose 
01 feeding idlers and foreign nations. If we only had 
plenty of such lunatical wiseacres as the Americans to 
deal with, we would not need to work at all.” 

As we were thus conversing, an old gentleman, who 
had came into the parlor and overheard some of our 
arguments, spoke up; he had a grim smile on his face, 
and inquired how long I had been in that condition 

I answered that I was bom that way. 

He laughed and said: 

“If that is a fact, how is it that the proprietor of the 
Goldbury Museum has not bought you up long ago? 
He has made it a point to secure all the countries an- 
tiquities, regardless of cost. You are certainly the 
sole living specimen of your kind in this country. I 
have read about ‘protectionists’, but never dreamed of 
such a thing as to ever be a])]e to see a real live one; 
where in the world were you brought up?” 

I told him that I came from America, where the 
public sentiment is largely in favor of protection. 

“I pity the Americans” said he, “if the woods are 
full of such as you! 

“Trading between nations, is a step towards the pro- 
gress of civilization. Take for instance corn, which in 
our country, with the same outlay of labor, yields 
about 30 per cent more than in most other countries. 


92 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


It is plain that the people of other countries can get 
more corn for their labor, by producing other articles 
for which they are better fitted, and trading them for 
it. So can we get more coffee, sugor, rice, silk etc. by 
trading corn, wheat, cotton, lumber, coal, iron, etc. for 
them.” 

This was enough to convince me, that protection is 
nothing but humbug in bold letters. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

M y friend Mr. Jasper left on the 2 p. m, train 
for Centerville, and I accompanied him to the 
central station. 

After returning to the hotel I felt somewhat debili- 
tated from mental exertion, and went to sit down in an 
easy-chair. The hotel-kee’per made some remarks 
about my weary countenance; whereupon I replied that 
T had a painful headache. He immediately sugested to 
send for a physician. 

I protested against it, and said it was unnecessary, as 
I w^ould be all right by evening. 

“That matters not,” said he, “we have doctors em- 
ployed by the city for the purpose of ascertaining if 
there is any germ or foundation for any disease or 
serious sickness, and it is our duty to call them up 
when we learn that someone is ill. There is no expense 
connected with it whatever; it is done for to guard 
against diseases and infection.” 

He rung the telephone, and called up the doctor, who 
appeared in about fifteen minutes. After feeling of my 


93 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

pulse and making a diagnostic examination, he said: 

‘^Mr. Richard, you are exerting your brains beyond 
their capacity; you need fresh air and physical exersise, 
or you will lay the foundation for a severe disease. ” 

“A very simple prescription,” 1 thought. Yet it 
was just as simple to till. Very strange, it seemed to 
me, and how greatly it diti'ered from the American 
system of medication^ — where, the doctors, in such ca- 
ses, write out lengthy prescriptions in latin w' ’ ds and 
mysterious figures, and send some person to tbe drug 
store, to buy cloride of sodium, cloride of mercury 
and nitrate of potash diluted in oxide of hydrogen; 
or some such composition, that will make the healthy 
ill instead of making the sick healthy— ;/<?/’ revenue (mly. 

Starting out to fill my prescription, I entered the 
city clerk’s office and applied for physical labor. 

“What’s your trade or profession?” He inquired. 

“None in particular,” I replied. It was useless to 
tell him that my business in America was stock specu- 
lation, as the speculative genius was not in these people. 

‘‘Alright,” said he. I will give 5^011 an order to the 
street department, where they will find work for you.’’ 

My mental arrogance entirely collapsed at the ima- 
gination of becoming a genuine navvy, yet there was 
no alternative, and it was just as respectable employ- 
ment among those [.eople as chief magistrate. 

On returnig to the hotel I picked up the Noon Tele^ 
graph, and glancing over its columns 1 observed the 
following notice: 

“Bids will now be received by the city clerk for the 
following public service viz: City Mayor; one repre- 
sentative from each ward of the city; superintendent 


94 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


for the central warehouse; one superintendent for each 
ward sample store; superintendent for the street-rail- 
way system; superintendent for public works; one pub- 
lic inspector of rents and royalties; superintendent of 
schools; three members for the arbitration board. 

“The successful bidders, who may be elected, will 
serve for a period of one year, commencing from the 
first day of January 18 — . 

“The names of the three lowest qualified bidders for 
each position will be placed upon the electoral ticket, 
and put before the people to vote npon at the coming 
municipal election, the first Monday in December.” 

The thought now flashed through my mind, that if it 
depends on the lowest bid for so responsible position 
as city mayor I shall certainly tender the lowest bid, 
and secure the position as the next dignitary of the 
city. My imagination, arose to vanity, and I already' 
laid my plans for actions as city mayor. 

“Suddenly I thought of it being Thursday, then 
remembering my a|)i)ointment with Viola Hartford, 
which I could not afiord to miss for all the mayor of- 
fices in the land, I was ott at once. 

On meeting her that evening, she welcomed me with 
a smile and handshaking, as usual. 

“1 have been waiting for you so long Jim,” she said. 
“I began to think that you were not coming this eve- 
ning. Anything new Mr. Richard?” 

“Nothing particularly,” I replied, “only that I am 
aspiring for the mayoralty of Goldbury.” 

“That’s quite a responsible position!” remonstrated 
Viola. “Do you consider yourself capable of attend- 
ing to such important duty Mr. Richard?” 


96 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

“Why certainly!” I answered. “According to the 
notice I read in the Noon T' elegraph, anyone who will 
do it for the smalest salary may have it.” 

“Anyone who is capable to execute it,” she said. “I 
am afraid you are misinformed about it Mr. Richard. 
There are several difhculties connected with obtaining 
such positions; but if you are capable of performing 
any of the duties mentioned in that notice, you have as 
much right to tender' your bid as any other man. 
Such a[)piication howcyer, must bear the signature of 
ten well know, reputable men of the community, who 
will vouch for the ability and qualification of the appli- 
cant. Then if your bid is among the three lowest, for 
such particular position as you apply for, your name 
will be placed on the electoral ticket; thus giving people 
the choice of the thiee lowest, qualified bidders — with- 
out party prejudice, or the influence of any superstition, 
creed, or participation to the office. Then the success- 
ful choice is required to get three well known, reput- 
able men of the community, others than those who 
signed the application, to sign his bond — vouch for his 
ability and qualification to faithfully execute the duties 
connected with such office.” 

“Oh, I can use money, and bribe some men to vouch 
for my qualification, if they don’t have to go security 
for my honesty.” I declared. 

“Even if you could bribe some men to assist you in 
securing your name on the electoral ticket, you would 
stand a very poor chance of getting elected, if you 
were not the proper man to fill the office,” she replied. 
“When you mention about bribing, Mr. Richard, you 
must remember that there is no incentive for such 


96 


THE LIGHT OF EDEE 


practice in our society. Supposing you could bribe 
some men to sign your application, and otherwise assist 
you in securing the position; where would you receive 
ari)- benefit for such nefarious work? Your salary 
would probably not be any higher than any other pub- 
lic employee’s — the present mayor, superintendent of 
the central warehouse, and suj)rintendent of the street- 
railway system, each receive $5,50 per day; and the 
men employed by them, even -the common laborers aH 
receive live dollars per day for their services. ” 

‘‘Oh, 1 would have the authority to employ men 
under me, and by peddling out the fat and easy posi- 
tions 1 should acquire a snug sum out of the office 
diu ing my term,” I suggested. 

‘‘What do you mean by easy positions Mr. Richard?” 
Inquired Viola. 

“Such as policemen, clerks, book-keepers etc.” 1 an- 
swered. ‘*1 should simply have them pay me $5 per 
month each to hold their positions.” 

“Speaking of policemen,” she replied, “we have 
very few of them employed, as they are really not 
needed at all, since we blighted the saloons; now every 
man takes care of himself. The saloons, which in the 
historical days, caused people to assemble and drink 
poisonous drugs until they became insane, are now an 
incident, only to be remembered through history. In 
those days, when a man went into one of those hives of 
assemblage, you could not tell either he was coming out 
with his full sense or not, and as a matter of necessity 
policemen were needed, • ' to take the insane and lock 
them up, to keej) from doing injury to others. Every 
citizen is now delegated with the power to take any 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


insane man and bring him before the authorities, who 
examines into his sanity; in other words, every citizen 
constitutes a policeman. A case of intoxicative insanity 
is very rare among us, since we abolished the duty and 
revenue on liquors togetlier with the license for the sale 
thereof. It })ecame common property, so that anyone 
or everyone could manufacture and sell it; in fact it be* 
came so common, that it was unprolitable for anyone to 
keep up exi)ensive saloons w'ith waiters etc. hence the 
frecpienters of those institutions had no place to as- 
semble for social drinks. The place for social assemb- 
lage was transfered to the ward building'- , where a 
eomplete library is now established, also an adjoining 
garden for all kinds of amusements — the place where 
young people assemble in the evenings — where all 
sorts of merriment is to be found, exepting noxious 
liquors’. 

“As to clerks and book-keepers,” contrnued Viola, 
“there is nothing particularly easy about those posi- 
tions; in fact we hnd it more difficult to get applicants 
for such occupations than common laborers, and the 
wages for all are exactly the same. So you see it 
would be impossible to get any blood-money for such 
positions; hence what you ex[)ended through bribing 
yourself into office, you would be minus that amount 
on your own wages or salar\'. Such a thing as bribing 
into office is unknown among us: on the contrary, in 
some instances, it is difficult to get applicants for public 
positions, as it is considered a great responsibility, and 
no high salaries to induce office-seeking, nor any corpo- 
rate monopolies to incite bribery and corruption. 

“As I understand it, in America a public office is a 


96 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


position of great honor; and it matters not how a man 
obtains it, either by fraud, bribing, or in any other 
dishonest manner, when he once get into office he is 
there til his term is out, even if he is the worst thief 
and rascal that ever lived. Here, if a man don’t suit 
his constituency, or if he commits any act of rasOality, 
all such dishonest acts are revoked, and he is immedi- 
ately asked to resign, and an alternative elect — the 
candidate receiving the next highest number of votes — 
tills the position till the next election. 

“The reason for this office-seeking and bribing in 
your country, is principally due to the high salaries 
which are paid to your public servants, together with 
the scarcety of employment, and extreme low wages 
in proportion at private occupations. In fact, I 
have learned that conditions in America are such, that 
a man cannot, through virtuous employment, afford a 
decent subsistence, while those holding public offices 
roll in pelf and luxury. 

“Those great difficulties we have overcome in the fol- 
lowing manner: First; by receiving bids for all public 
positions, and accepting the three lowest qualified bid- 
ders as candidates. Second; emplo3^ment is always 
open for everyone who is willing to exert himself for 
the benefit of the human family. Third; by having a 
standard of wages for all government works, whereby 
the wages for private employment is naturally regu- 
lated. The preference, if any, in the different kinds of 
work, is regulated by the number of hours which con- 
stitute a day’s work. In hazardous occupations, also 
occupations which require extreme exertions either of 
the brains or muscles, less hours are required for a 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 99 

day’s work. At present, six hours is the longest day’s 
work and three hours is the shortest. The wages in all 
cases are the same — $5 per day. The work of clerks 
and bookkeepers require severe mental exertion, and 
consequently one hour less than the standard is required 
for a day’s work.” 

“What regulates the number of hours which consti- 
tute a day’s work at the different kinds of employ- 
ment?” I asked. 

“The number of applicants,” she replied. 

“I see that under your sytem bribing is unprofitable,” 
said I. 

After an a^nimated chat on other subjects, Viola 
proposed some of that lovely music, to which I agreed 
that it would be very pleasing. When it ceased I said: 

“That waltz reminds me of the Goldbury reception, 
where we first met and made each others acquaintance. 
From that very time you have never been absent from 
my mind. You are certainly the only person in the 
world for whom my affection is keenly felt. ” 

“How is that Jim? Is that also a custom among the 
Americans, to love only one person, and either hate or 
care nothing at all for the rest? You are a firm be- 
liever in scripture, are you not? Mr. Richard. Does it 
not read dove your nighbor as yourself’?” 

“You confuse me,” said I. At the same time moving 
my chair close upto her’s. “But you are ” 

“That will do Jim,” she internijffed. “We will de- 
vote some other evening to discussing that subject.” 

After taking a pleasure walk, in her com[)Mn3q and 
visiting a beautiful public park about two blocks away, 
it was time for me to depart for home. 


100 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


As I was ready to leave, she said: ‘*If your time 
and business will allow it to-morrow evening, I have an 
interesting matter for discourse.” 

“My l)usiness cannot prevent me from calling on you 
at any time.” 1 replied. 

“All right to-morrow evening,” she said, with a 
parting smile. 

Going home that evening I did more speculation in 
half an hour, than 1 ever did stock speculating in one 
year; both were for love of course; while one was for 
money the other was love for the most beautiful woman 
I ever saw. 


CHAPTER XV 


r ALKING lei 
folio \vin;i> 


leisurely along the avenue on the 
ing morning, and noticing the large 
electric tower-clock, which now registered 
10 a. m. 1 recollected my ap})ointment with Mr. How- 
ard — the city mayor. I directed my steps across the 
court scpiare and into the spacious public building, 
where I was directed to the mayor’s office, whom I 
found engaged in a conversation with the city tax col- 
lector. From listening to their discourse, I g/*thered 
a few {pointers on their tax system; and after his visitor 
left, 1 (piestioned him how their taxes where assessed 
and collected?” 

“We tax LAND- VALUES,” he replied. “Our tax levy 
is regulated according to the productive capacity of 
the land, and the collection thereof is automatic,” 

“I do not quite understand what you mean by land 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


101 


ralues, I cannot exactly realize the distinction you draw 
between land and land values.” 

“The land-values” he replied, “is the productive 
value of land — what land is actually worth for produc- 
tive purposes; anythintr outside of that is speculative 
value. If we taxed the land instead of land- values all 
lands would necessarily be taxed alike; but there are 
millions of acres not taxed at all; because no one wants 
to use it, as lontr as land can be had which is more pro- 
ductive. So you see, it is not the land itself we tax; 
but the value which attae.hes to it by virtue of its pro- 
ductiveness. 

“The productive value of land” he conti nued, “is 
what land in high state of cultivation can be made to 
produce. Supposing from one acre of land, could be 
produced twenty bushels of wheat, at a total expense, 
for labor, seed, and machinery, of $*20; and the market 
value of wheat was $1,30 per bushel — same as it is 
to-day — the productive value of such land, over and 
above the operating expenses, would be $6,00 per acre; 
or $6,00 ground-rent (tax). From other lands, which 
would produce only 16 bushels of wheat per acre, with 
the same expenses, the rental value of such land would 
be only 80 cents, etc. Land which cannot Ite profitable 
used for agricultural purposes, the use of which is sold 
yearly, to the highest bidder, for grazing pur[)Oses. ” 

“But under you tax system, is there not discontent 
among those who have to {)a\^ the large share of the 
taxes, while others are })aying none at all?” I asked. 

“On the contrary” he re}) lied, * ‘everyone is anxious 
to pay his taxes in due time, in or<ler to be sure of 
holding his right to possession. We a})|)ly this rule; if 


102 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


a in rn fails to pay his groud-rent (taxes) on or before a 
specified day, a penalty of ten per cent is added; and if 
he fails, without proper cause, the next year he loses his 
right to possession. This rule is abandoned in case of 
failure of average production; then where such failure 
exists the ground-rent is omitted for the time being. 

“Our system of deriving revenue for maintainirg 
the government institutions is cot, what you may term, 
a tax on the people, but on nature’s storehouse; a me- 
dium for the equal distribution of the gifts of nature. ” 

Mr. Howard showed me the ground-rental map of 
the city and surrounding country. 

I was astonished at the startling facts which Mr. 
Howard laid before me. I had to admit that the Ameri- 
cans where utterly ignorant on taxation. 

Mr. Howard then questioned me about the American 
tax system. Whereupon I replied that it was entirely 
different to theirs. 

“Our taxes” said I “are collected from the consumer; 
everything a man eats and wears is taxed; all lands 
which are highly improved are taxed heavily; and lands 
which are unimproved, nominally improved, or simply 
held out of use, are mostly untaxed; hence a premium 
on keeping land out of use. In America we don’t tax 
land according to its producing capacity; but according 
t j its improvements. If private individuals or corpo- 
rations hold millions of acres out of use, they are in 
liiost cases un taxed; for such reason, they can afford to 
keep it out of use But if an energetic produce! gains 
permission to occupy it, by pa3dng an exorbitant price 
therefore; then improves and makes it productive, he 


103 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

is immediately burdened with heavj* taxes. It does not 
matter what the productive quality of the land may be; 
if it will produce ten or forty bushels per acre, the tax 
is just the same, providing it is improved. As a gene- 
ral rule, the best, and most conveniently located lands, 
are held, for speculative purposes, by privileg-rd corpo- 
rations, which are paying comparatively no taxes there- 
on. Consequently the poorest, and most inconvenientl v 
located lands from commercial centers, are those most- 
ly used for agricultural purposes. 

“Just as soon as a man undertakes to cultivate land 
and make it productive, even in the wild woods or 
mountains, isolated from civilization — where before 
not one cent of taxes could be collected — he is immedi- 
ately burdened with heavy taxes. In most cases, he is 
unable to pay this oppressive imposture, because he is 
too far from market, and if he should undertake to 
send some of his products to market, in order to obtain 
money by which to pay the taxes levied upon him, the 
transportation monopolies extorts nearly the whole of 
their market \ alue for transportation. 

‘‘1 remember reading in one of our news journals, 
about a farmer sending a carload of potatoes to market 
only about 140 miles distant. The potatoes were all in 
good condition and were sold at regular market price. 
After commission and transportation charges were de- 
ducted, the whole carload of potatoes netted the farmer 
only about half the price of the empty sacks. Another 
farmer, from the same district, sent a carload of water- 
melons to the market, which also \vere in good condi- 
tion , and disposed of at regular market price; but 
which greatly disappointed the agriculturist, when ho 


104 


THE LIGHT OF ED EE 


figured up his bal ance, and learned that the whole car- 
load of melons netted him the sum of twenty cents, 
after commission and transportation charges were paid. 
It is useless to say that the farmer got disgusted, and 
spent his twenty cents of sound money for intoxicative 
beverages. 

“Under such pitiable conditions, the energetic pro- 
ducer cannot obtain money by which to pay his taxes. 
Mortgaging is the next thing in order, which finally 
ends in a siierilf s sale, and the unfortunate huinan-an- 
niinal made homeless, and again compelled to hunt a 
new hive in the wilderness.’’ 

‘'Why I it is the most barljarous system 1 ever heard 
speak of!” exclaimed Mr. Howard. “It gives a pre- 
mium on laziness or non-production; in other words, it 
is a penalty on industry and energy. Our system is* 
the reverse; we give a premium on industry. If a man 
is willing to sutier the frontier life, and goes out in the 
wilderness — isolated from civilization or commercial 
centers — and imj^roves land and makes it productive, 
he is never visited by the tax collector, until suiiicient 
public improvements are perfected, in the way of rail- 
ways, highways, irrigation ditches etc. which improve- 
ments are made on the demand of such settlers. Then 
when they derive benefit, in the way of free transpor- 
tation etc. they are also willing to pay their propor- 
tionate share of the ground-rent, same as in other old 
settlements. We consider it a great benefit to society, 
when anyone is willing to go into new districts and 
commence settlement, as it is always a lot of hardship 
on the pioneer settlers in a new country, before public 
improvements are perfected. 


105 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

“Under our system, no monopolies can hold one acre 
of land out of use, unless they pay the full rental value 
therefore; improved or unimproved it matters not, as 
long- as they keep it out of use for others. Not as I 
understand over in your country; where, if a man holds 
possession of a lot with no improvements upon it, and 
his taxes for such are $10; then if he improves it to the 
extent of $3,000; that is, making it usefull — any land 
without improvements is certainly useless — he is taxed 
in all probability $4:0. Hence a man has to pay a pen- 
alty of $30 per yer, because he was industrious and 
made tlie land useful; and the same rule is applied to 
agricultural land. 

‘‘What good is it to hold land out of use? It produ- 
ces nothing; it is a dead letter. Millions of acres of 
unimproved land is certainly useless to a man; only for 
the purpose of enslaving posterity. 1 can see no other 
personal benetit in holding land out of use, than if the 
Earth was too densdy j)opulated; in such case its iiihab- 
itation could be made scattering by vvitholding the soil 
from use by the masses, and starvation and cannibalism 
would be in general order. Thus, if a few [)cople could 
obtain and keep }) 0 :$session of all the soil, the\' would 
soon be the sole inhabitants of the Earth. 

‘‘1 have learned, that in America at present, a few 
people own nearly all the lands, all the money, and 
everything of value, together with having full control 
of the government. They have more than they need, 
and are clamoring ‘overproduction', while the masses 
of the peole are starving hy the millions and debared 
the use of what is their o>vn. How can there be an 
overproduction or prefusion, \N hen millions of people 


106 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

are in wants of those very things which are supposed 
to be in profuse abundance? The meaning of overpro- 
duction in America is not profusion, but confudony 

“But, according to your system of ‘no ownership’ or 
all equal owners;” said I, “sup]30sing I should locate 
on a piece of vacant land and improve and make it pro- 
ductive. After all my hard efforts some other man 
may come and chase me off, and take possession, claim- 
ing that he^ had as much right to occupy it as I had, by 
virtue of ‘equal ownership’.” 

“Certainly not,” replied Mr. Howard. “The land 
would be yours as long as you paid the yearly grou.id- 
rent, your children’s after you, or to whomsoever you 
would choose to transfer your improvements and right 
to possession. Of course, if you ceased paying the 
ground- rent, your improvements w'ould in course of 
time, be absorbed by it; and you would have no more 
claim on such land than any other man. 

“The improvements a man puts upon land are his 
own, those he has right to sell and dispose of, but the 
soil never. No man has any right to an inch more of 
the soil than he can advantageously utilize for the sup- 
port of himself and his family.” 

“What regulates the ground-rent?” 1 asked. 

“The law of supply and demand,” he replied, “to- 
gether with the uniformity of wages for all kinds of 
employment; whereby all things are automatically 
regulated.” 

This convinced me that their tax system was perfect- 
ly scientific. After conversing on other subjects for 
some time, I accepted an in \i tat ion to call again on the 
next day, and de[)ai ted for my hotel. 


CHAPTER XVI 


►OTiciNG everybody busying themselves with their 
trade or profession, and being tired of my long 
idleness; 1 resolved to make myself useful at 
some occupation or other. Although being a graduate 
from several colleges in the United States, the lack of 
morality of my education was dissatisfactory to my de- 
sire, for a country where all the peoi)le were highly 
educated on the fundamental principles of morals. 

In company with C'aptain Martin, I decided to join 
the Carterville College, and take up the study of social 
science and agriculture. Agriculture, is an industry 
which has drawn my attention, since I landed among 
these people, and ‘ • learned that it is the essence of 

man’s subsistence. The greatest surprise it was to me, 
to see the agriculturists — known in America as ‘clod- 
hoppers’ and ‘hayseeds’ — as the foremost in society; so 
much different to the American style, where the farm- 
ers are relegated to the rear of society. 

Together we boarded a car for Carterville, and went 
to the college and were admitted as students in the 
junior class. 

Here a new surprise naturally presented itself for 
me. I was accustomed to the American school system, 
where the students have to procure their own shool- 
books, board and lodging etc. and in case the parents 
are in poor circumstances, and unable to provide their 
children with these necessaries, even the most inteliect- 
ive brains, desiring education, must go undeveloped. 

- 107 - 


108 


rilE LIGHT OF EDEN 


On the other hand, those whose parents are wealthy, 
even if they are literally idiots; education is poured 
on to them in immence volumes, and they are styled as 
‘‘professional men”. Coining here, and learninj^ that 
education of all sorts with all its apiairtenances, is free 
for all, 1 was more than astonished. However, this ac- 
counted for their highly developed society. 

All education possible is given to any person desir- 
ous of obtaining such; providing he is possessed with 
the necessary intellectual endowment. 

Just as I was seated in my room, on the evening of 
my third day at college, the mail-carrier brought a let- 
ter with my address upon i., in a very familiar hand- 
writing. Upon opening it and glancing over its brief 
lines, 1 saw it was an invitation to come to the 
Wicksby residence on the folloving afternoon, after 
school-hours, sUned: '•Your loving Adella”. 

After reading the letter over carefully a couple times 
1 concluded that the appointed time could not arrive 
any too soon for my gratitude. 1 was anxiously wait- 
ing for ‘the time to come. 

On ap[)roaching the handsome residence, as I was 
})assing along the shach' walk, in front of the house, 
Adella suddenly made her apj)earance, evidently hav- 
ing been seated among the shade-trees. 

“Good evening Mr. Richard,” she spoke up, with a 
charming smile, at the same time bowing courteously. 
“*! have been im])atiently awaiting you. Why don’t 
you make your visits often Jim i Everything seems so 
pleasant when you are here. And, to my surprise, you 
are now a student at our college. Well, how do you 
like our educational facilities?” 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


109 


“Very much indeed,” I replied. “I admire your 
e^lucational facilities, as far as have been explained to 
me; however, not being thorouhly posted on , the sub- 
ject, 1 am desirous for farther information.” 

‘\Vll our schools” she replied, “’are maintained by 
the government; they are free institutions. Our edu- 
cational professors are paid the same wages as other 
employees of the government, only their day’s work is 
considerable shorter. They must first pass before the 
national education board, and receive teacher’s certifi- 
cates, after which they are selected by the people of 
the community, where they are to teach. However, all 
our educational professors must be graduates from the 
professional class of college. 

“Our schools are graded in three classes, all free, in- 
cluding books etc. The first or primer class, is for 
moral education, penmanship, geology, i)hysiology and 
mathematics. The second class, is for social and scien- 
tific education. The third class, is for those desirous 
of becoming professional men, such as journalists, 
teachers of education, physicians, chemists etc. The 
third class is non-compulsory; as it is unnecessary for 
all the [people to be educated to professional men; nor 
have all the ])eople sullicient intellectual endowment 
for receiving uch high education. In order to be ma- 
triculated in the higher class, a man must have certifi- 
cates from the two lower classes, giving in proper 
grades his intellectual attribute — we deem it a waste of 
energy in trying to educate idiots, or almost such. The 
two lower classes are compulsory, and children between 
seven and eighteen years of age are required to pass 
through them; as it is the only safeguard against the 


110 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


upgrowing generations again drifting to barbarism. 

“In order to promote the most perfect education^’ 
she continued, “we have a board of school examiners, 
whose duty is to visit each and every school, at unex- 
pected intervals, at least twice every year, and examine 
the pupils also the teachers. Then the teachers are 
graded according to the advancement of their pupils, 
and such grade-certificates are put on record for public 
inspection. At the end of each year a premium is 
awarded to a number of the teachers having the most 
advanced pupils. Thus you see, they are all eager in 
securing to their scholars a good education.” 

“I see your system is perfect” said I, “and leaves no 
room for imj)rovenient. 

“But one ] oint which has not yet been made clear to 
me. How have you solved the important problem of 
Religion and Christianity? So far, I have noticed no 
churches or any other maniacal meeting places. Have 
3^ou united all the different religious creeds into one 
state church. Or have you abolished them altogether?” 

“We have done neither,” she replied. “Our people 
are all highly educated, and far above any su})erstition 
or barbarous belief. We have educated our ] eople up 
to the true principles of Christianity; whi, h is the social 
sy: tern we are now practicing in our belo^ ed land of 
liberty and equolty. What is meant by christianitvC 
Is it not the doctrine which Christ taught? Did he 
not teach equalty in mankind? Your mythological 
pri(‘sts in America are in sheepskin wandering 

an o g you, and seeking whom they luay devour. They 
are })reaching vHimo-n under the cloak of Christianity. 
Those mysterious decei^eiS are the tool of the wicked. 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 111 

‘‘While the covetous, modem aristocracy* gives mil- 
lions of dollars to the church, they rob the laborer of 
the fruit of his toil. Then makes spontaneous dona- 
tions to charity, in ordei to have the press give great 
comments on it so as to keej) their good name in socie- 
ty’s opinion. Is that Christianity^ It may be charity, 
but is it justice? First defraud the laborer of the 
fruit of his honest efforts; thereby causing destitution 
and starvation. Then ap]uopriate part of this plunder 
for corruption-seed; in the way of employing ‘mystics’ 
to preach fabulous tales, and confound the common 
drudge. Intelligence is an enemy to the oppressor, 
while ignorance is his safeguard. 

‘‘Does not the bible teach? ’He that defraudeth the 
laborer of his hire is a blood-shedder!’ Tf any will not 
woi k neither shalt he eat’. ‘Do yt unto others, as ye 
will that others shalt do unto you’. Could this in any 
way be interpreted so as to mean, that your American 
aristocrats or plutocrats, who are doing no work at all 
— ^producing none of the necessaries of man’s subsist- 
ence — shall brandish in pelf and luxury, while the toi- 
lers — the producers of this mamon— are coni])elled to 
suffer starvation, on account of being deprived of, or 
defrauded out of what is their own?” 

“Your social system is certainly scientific on Christi- 
anity.” I remarked. ‘‘Having automatically abolished 
all religious preachers (maniacs), then you have no in- 
terpreters of the bible?” I inquired. 

“Ko, nor do we need any,” she replied. “All our 
people are sufficiently educated to understand the philo- 
sophy of any properly written book. If a book is 
written so mysterious and incomprehensive, that it can- 


112 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


not be understood without interpretation, we do not put 
much faith in it. 

“You must also consider, Mr. Richard, that there 
are about as many different opinions as there are men. 
Now when a book is written by several authors, and 
translated by about as many different men, and at dif- 
ferent periods — same as the bible is; it is evident that 
at last it must become very perplexed. 

“There is some philosophy in the bible, that we must 
all admit. Where it says God is everywhere and God 
is everything, we are all united on that idea. It is 
simply using the word God instead of nature. All 
things are parts of nature, and nature is everywhere, 
and everything; hence the bible is correct on that sub- 
ject. Again it must be taken into consideration, that 
the bible was scril)l)led together in the days when the 
people had very little knowledge about nature. What 
can you expect a man to write about a thing he knows 
nothing about? A man can only state his own opinion 
or imagination. Why should this present advanced ci- 
vilization be guided by a few savages, who existed for 
scores of centuries past? 

‘"Supposing Moses should re-ap})ear on the earth to- 
day, and see and learn all the scientific discoveries 
which have developed since his days, he would soon 
commence to think that man had become superior to 
"his’ (Moses’) God. 

“As to Christianity, which is the universal brother- 
hood of man, we strictly adhere to it. We will now 
analyze how it is over on your side of the globe. 

“After Christ had been crucifietl and dead for man}^ 
centuries, his docti lne was taken uj) by the same spirit 


THE LI OUT OF EDEN 


113 


that martyred him; but for the puspose of deceiving. 
Were not the legal element, the bisho})s and the church 
element, Christ’s pursuers and bitterest enemies; and 
the element that crusified him? Are they not today 
preaching Christianity for deception? Your American 
eocial system, which is founded upon the motto of 
■^everyone for himself and the devil take the hindmost’, 
is certainly not in conformity with Christianity, but the 
eontrary. You may imagine yourself of being a gen- 
uine American plutocrat, standing on the top steps of 
the society -ladder, seeing your fellow-men crawling in 
the mire, trying with all efforts to reach even the lower 
steps of the ladder. Y ou look down upon them as a 
lower grade of an. /imals than yourself, and whenever 
they get within reach of the ladder, push them away 
out into the mire. That is sinning against nature or 
/‘God’ — call it what you please. 

“We will now suppose that you had a family and 
reared children, and that some elementary, or commer- 
cial accident should befall your wealth, or their wealth; 
so that they would become paupers. How would you 
like to see other men glorifying themselves, in seeing 
your posterity crawling in the mire, trying to reach 
the ladder, then pushing them away for every effort 
they made? It is your duty, as being on the top of the 
society-ladder, to aid your fellow-men (brethren) ; even 
'though yourself descend a step or two. That is the 
true and fundamental principles of Christianity!! 

“For churches and religious preachers” she continu- 
ed, “we have substituted the inculcation of morality^ 
And the universal brotherhood of man — we are educa- 
ting our people up to the pinnacle of civilization. In 


114 


TILE LIGHT OF EDEN 


America, where you are practicing barbarism, you are 
educating your people to ‘legality’, and have thrown 
morality overboard. ” 

At this point Mr. Wicksby entered, and broke Ox 
our conversation. He was a tall erect gentleman, ap- 
parently about sixty years old. 




CHAPTER XVII 

K r Wicksby interested me greatly, in relating the 
progress of their manufacturers; and urged on 
me to become a silkhat manufacturer. 1 had 
just then explained to him that some people in America 
wore hats, apparently larger than their integrity. He 
said, I would have no difiiculty in di8])osing of a large 
number of them to commence with, that their people 
were very fond of curiosities. 

“I fail to see” said 1, "‘how your manufacturers can 
prosper under a free competitive system. Have you 
no trusts or combinations in order to keep prices up?” 

“I cannot comprehend what you mean by trusts, Mr. 
Richard. Please explain to me, how it could be pos- 
sible for one individual to manufacture an article, and 
command his own price on the same kind made by oth- 
er manufacturers?” 

“That’s easy explained^” I replied. “The several 
manufacturers of the same kind of goods ‘legally’ 
forms into a corporation or pool; more properly known 
as ‘trust’; then establish one uniform price to suit 
themselves, also what wages to pay their employees. 
If it is to their interest to advance prices on the goods. 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


116 

and lower the wages of labor — which is most generally 
the order of the day — they do so. It is useless to say 
that their natural inclination is adverse to rising wages, 
and lowering the prices of goods, 

“Each manufacturer deposits with the corporation 
treasurer, a stipulated amount, which is forfeited in 
ease he breaks the pledge; that is, selling goods at less 
than the established rate. 

“Another more feasible way, is by uniting all the 
manufacturers of the same kind of goods into a stock 
company. Each manufacturer is given stock or shun s 
according to the usual amount of his business done, or 
what may be agreed upon. Then only the large facto- 
ries are operated, and all are sharing the dividend, ac- 
cording to their number of shares. 

“There are several of these corporations (trusts) in 
the United States, namely, sugar trust, steel trust, oil 
trust, and others too numerous to mention. In fact, it 
is unprofitable for a man to undertake the manufactur- 
ing business unless he becomes a member of such tru.^l. 
If it is the desire of these combinations to drain mil- 
lions of dollars from the consumer; through advancing 
the prices on sug''r, cofiee, oils, steel, clothing etc. 
there is nothing to hinder them therefrom.’* 

“I now fully comprehend the idea of tr combina- 
tions or corporations,” j*aid he, with a slight smile, “call 
it what you will; in short, it is what we would call mo- 
nopolies. It is nothing more or less than a canker on 
aociety. We had endless trouble with those gigantic 
monsters before we adojjted our new social system; but 
since, all monopolies have been an event of the past.” 
“A great object you have accomplished in abolishing 


116 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

monopolies.’’ I remarked. “You must certainly hnw 
resorted to drastic remedies — harsh diseases require 
harsh treatments.” 

“The simplest remedies are the most effectual!” said 
he. “Conditions were created whereby each person is 
now living independent of soulless corporations or mo- 
nopolies. The only soulless corporation we now have 
is the government, which constitute, all the people, and 
in which every individual is an equal member. Thus 
what benelits one person, equally benefit all. The rea- 
son that your giant corporations in America are such a 
dragon in society, is that they are greater than the gov- 
ernment itself; they are the government’s dictators.” 

“Please tell me Mr. Wicksby, how did you create 
conditions whereby every individual could live inde- 
pendent of corporations or monopolies? It has been 
repeatedly tried in America without success.” 

The old gentleman stroked his silver-gray whiskers, 
then made this reply: ' ‘That’s a question which re- 
quires a lengthy answer. To make the story short; we 
simply gave every man the opportunity to produce the 
necessaries of man’s subsistence, together with the pri- 
vilege of exchanging products with his fellow -men, 
without the intervention of monopolistic mediators. 

“The government is now conducting all the com- 
merce of the country in the joint interest of all the 
people. The money system is conducted solely by tl © 
government — without the intervention of banks. Fi- 
nancial institutions are past memory in our beloved 
country. The endless lot of bonding and borrowing is 
only a relic in people’s memory. 

“Our national, state, and municipal governments, 




117 


the light of EDEN 

in the barbarian days, had through a c<;rrupt social 
;\y8toni indebted posterity to the amount of over $500 
per individual; in other words, every individual had at 
his birth, a mortgage placed on his shoulders, in the 
shape of school, state, national and other debts; a load 
which steadily increased and manifolded, through the 
interest source. What right had those governments to 
barter away the liberties of posterity, or to compel 
unborn millions to become slaves?” 

“But what remedies have you adopted against con- 
tinuing the practice? And how could you legally pay 
this enormous debt?” I inquired. “We have in America 
public and private debts amounting to more than $500 
per capita, which are all made payable in gold, together 
with the interest. The tact of the matter is, that all 
the gold produced in the whole world, would not even 
pay the interest on this immence debt for one year. It 
is shameful to say, but we have simply given it up for 
an impossibility; we can only pay the interest by crea- 
ting new debts. You are just telling me that the same 
conditions existed here some fifty years ago. I fail to 
see how you have solved the important problem.” 

“This great debt” said he, “was created immorally, 
but we paid it morally. Since our society is founded 
ni?on morality, you will readily understand, that it was 
dis[)Osed of without much diflSculty. First we will an- 
alyze how it was created. 

“Our law-makers in those days, limited the medium 
of exchange to an inadequate volume, and what little 
of it there was issued, they gave in the control of a 
few individual idlers, with the power to extort usury 
from the producer for its use. Money is a tool, or 


im THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

labor saving device for exchanging products; and just 
as necessary among a civilized people as a plough for 
a farmer. 

‘‘We will now suppose there is a community of ten 
men. Their names are. Banker, Blacksmith, Carpenter, 
Engineer, Farmer, Laborer Merchant, Mason, Tailor,, 
and Shomaker. Mr. Banker has $100, and is the only 
moneyed man — having all the money in the community. 

•‘Mr. Blacksmith contracts with Mr. Carpenter to 
build him a house. Mr. Carpenter now needs $25 with 
which to buy material, and borrows from Mr. Banker, 
paying seven per cent interest. Mr. Blacksmith must 
borrow $50 to pay for the house. Farmer must bor- 
row $25 to buy seed and pay for labor. Mr. Banker 
has now loaned out his $100 at seven per cent interest, 
and they are scattered among the people of the com- 
munity. When the year is up the three l)orrowers are 
required to repay $107, and all the money in the com- 
munity is $100, consequently the $7 will be a standing 
debt, also drawing seven per cent — compound interest. 
Now when Mr. Banker has his $100 returned the people 
have no money with which to etfect their exchanges 
the next year. They must apply to Mr. Banker and 
again borrow the same $100, promising to repay at the 
end of the year $107. At the expiration of this period 
the community owes $114:, 49. If the 1100 are repaid 
to Mr. Banker this year it will leave a standing debt of 
$14,49, and no money by which to effect their exchang- 
es the third year. This continued for ten years will 
leave a standing debt to Mr. Banker of $100; twenty 
years, $200; thirty years, $400; etc. It must be born in 
mind that they can never pay this standing dedt, as the 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


119 

money is not in the country with which to pay it. 

“Conditions have reached the climax when the $100 
will not even pay the interest on this enormous standing 
<ieht — the interest must be paid promptly or foreclos- 
ure proceedings are in order — such were the state of 
a Hairs in our country at that time. 

“As a remedy; in the tirst place, we abolished the 
forcible collection law, which sometimes compelled a 
man to do what was imj)Ossible, or nearly so. Then the 
government issued legal tender money, based upon la- 
or, and on the credit of the whole people, by which all 
hmiefit debts were paid; thereby in one stroke stopped 
1 lie interest- increase. Thus the debt from that time on 
gradually decreased, as the money that was issued in 
tiaying it gradually passed back into the hands of the 
government. It no longer had the power to increase 
in the hands of the creditor, same as interest- bearing 
ijolden ‘bonds’ of slavery. Conseiiuently the individu- 
als possessing such legal tender money could only ex- 
pend it for necessaries, comforts and luxuries of life; 
hence, when in course of time it was all exhausted, 
circumstances forced those ‘bond’ slave-herders to be- 
come useful instead of harmful.” 

“You mentioned about abolishing the forcible collec- 
tion-law. Is it not morally right Mr. Wicksliy, that 
a man should pay an honest debtf’ 

’‘Certainly!” he replied, ’‘but it is morally wrong, 
through conditions to force a man into debt, and after- 
wards compel him to pay it. 

“1 fail to see why every other man should turn in to 
help one man collect a bad debt, when it certainl}' is 
personal matter, of two individuals? It is only through 


120 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


the ^.ssistance of such nefarious legislation that tKi» 
endless lot of pledging, foreclosing and maneuvering is 
made practicable; as it gives the creditor the po'vver, 
with the assistance of the whole government, to oust 
the unfortunate debtor from his own honestly acquair- 
ed home. 

“Again refering to the governmental dobta, which 
are simply evidence of the people’s ignorance to adjust 
their own debts and credits among their own citizens. 

‘•‘Why should a county find itself in debt to a moneys 
shark for the entire cost of its court house or other 
improvements? when it owns the land on which it is 
placed, furnishes the material of which it is built, and 
whose citizens do the work. It is as if a man building 
a house, he owns the material of which it is made, him- 
self performs the work, yet when the building is com- 
pleted finds himself in debt for its entire cost.” 

“Your theory is certainly correct.” 1 leplied. 

After an interesting social conversation, I had a 
parting chat with Adella, then left for the college,, 
which was my temporary home. 

o) — - 

CHAPTER XVIII 

H ext day being vacation day at the college, nnd 
having not paid my beautiful Viola a visit for 
more than a week, I resolved to make it my 
decisive point that afternoon. 

1 boarded a car, which sped at a rapid rate to>,'ard8 
Farmington, and I soon landed in front of the hand- 
some residence, surrounded by its beautiful garden. 


121 


THE LIGHT OF ED EH 

As I entered the piazza and touched an electric buttoi*, 
Viola immediately made her apj)earance. Standing in 
the doorway she fairly presented an artist’s model. 

After we had entered the reception room, she began: 

'’‘You are quite a stranger Mr, Richard. I very 
much gratify your presence. 1 am informed that you 
are now a student at the Carter ville College, Perhaps 
there are some attractions connected with your special 
desire for that place,” 

1 was quite shocked at her remarks, at the same time 
thinking that her knowledge about my visits to Adel la 
Wicksby was beyond my expectations. 

“Come Viola! explain yourself,” said I, “I don’t 
quite understand your hints.” 

“Oh, 1 will not make any sensational statements Jim, 
probably I am misinformed.” With a sly smile, she 
continued: 

“How do you like your professors Mr. Richard? and 
what branch of study are you taking upT’ 

“My professors are surpassing all I ever saw in 
America.” 1 replied. “It is my desire to study your 
scientific social system thoroughly, then leave for A- 
merica, and on my way seek the wonderful isle of gold. 
Then bring a whole cargo of the worshiped metal and 
use as a medium to reform the American social condi- 
tions — to unrivet the golden chains (bonds) which the 
covetous tyranical interest-aristocracy have forged for 
the American producer — and cause liberty and pros- 
perity to reign in the beloved land which my forefa- 
thers fought and died for.” 

“But how could gold be made instrumental in ring- 
ing about those wonderful things if ” asked Vtola, in 


I:l2 2 HE LIGHT OF KHEN 

astonishnient. “It Is only inanniniate iimttei ’ind of 
no essential value for the subsistence, comforts, or hap- 
piness of the human family. ” 

“As far as the metal itself is concerned’ T replied, 
it is utterly valueless; but there is a bigoted value given 
to it through dishonest legislation. We had a practical 
experience of what essential wants were supplied by 
gold, when we were ship- wrecked on a desolate island 
with a whole cargo of it, yet were threatened to starva- 
tion.” 

“But tell me Jim, how would you proceed in order 
to obtain control of the legislative power and the whole 
governmental machinery, simply through the assistance 
of a quantity of gold V 

“That’s an easy matter.” 1 replied. “The American 
law-makers are bought same as other implements, and 
gold is the only medium by which such transactions 
can successfully be accomplished. 

“Gold is a worshiped medium among the Ameri- 
cans, and in fact among all barbarous tribes, same as 
the sacred relics were among the Romans for centuries 
past, and partially continue so today. The Roman Re- 
public died of gangrene or humiliation, caused through 
the establisment of a superstitious, prejudiced monar- 
chy. The Americans have established a superstitious,* 
prejudiced, ari.stocratic tyranny, through worshi[)ing 
the bigoted gold. I fear much the American, so-called 
Republic, has the same fate as the Romans had before it, 
unless the intelligent people comes to the front with 
immediate social reform. 

“In America gold is the supreme ruler; those wdio 
eoimnand. the largest quantity of it are the tyrants and 




TilE LIGHT OF EDEN 12$ 

dictators, even the courts and executives of justice are 
in their claws.’' 

‘'Those are horrible conditions you are just pictur- 
ing but for me Jim I can’t understand how a civilized 
pi^ople can submit to it. But 1 understood you to tell 
me once, that your law-makers and other government 
servants were elected by the people, are they not elect- 
ed to perfor hi certain duties?” 

‘"‘They are elected on what we call a ‘platform’, set- 
ting forth the principles and outline of the policy, 
which they pledge themselves to pursue. The pluto- 
cratic platforms, however, are so variably construed as 
to mean almost anything to suit the interpretor; thu# 
you see, after they are elected they pursue Hhe peopU 

he d 6?’ policy, and sell themselves to the gold-kings 

and ignominious corporations. Hence, when 1 possess 
the greatest amount of gold I can do the highest bid- 
ding, thereby acqmdre cont4‘ol of the law-making po- 
wer, and enact all the laws you have in operation here.” 

“You are getting tb be quite a philosopher on the 
scientific question jini,” remarked Viola. “How won- 
derfully you have changed since you commenced at the 
college. No one could longer suspect you of being a 
stranger in this country.' 

“I am very fond of adventuresome journeys, and it 
would be my highest gratification to come to Ameri< a 
and see how everyone is striving and fighting each h r 
himself, all eager to raze each other; or in a more rud^ 
language, 1o oat each other.” 

“You are ridiculing the Americans unduly,” said 1. 
“Conditions are surely bad, but y«t thejt have not 
reached the point of caunibalhm.” 


124 


THE LIGHT OF E DEE 


“Probably 1 was a little exaggerating. But, what 
kind of a specimen do you think I would make among 
the fashionable American society-class Jim?” 

“That’s a question I refuse to answer, for fear you 
would suspect me of flattery. But, Viola,” I added, 
hesitating a little, as I tried to take her hand in mine — 
“you are ” 

She arose from her chair, looking at me seriously, 
then said: “If your comments are free from anything 
like love, I will be very much pleased to listen.” 

"‘Then,” said I, “my question is ruled out of order.” 

We entered the sitting room where we found Mr. 
Hartford engaged in reading a magazine. He joined 
in our conversation, which afterwards drifted on syj^- 
tenia tic subjects. 


CHAPTER XIX 

O N my next visit to Goldbury, it behooved my de- 
sire to call at the mayor’s office. I found Mr. 
Howard, as usual, sitting at his desk attending 
to official matters. 

I was eager to obtain clear information on a subject 
which had occupied my mind since the previous inter- 
view; it was simply regarding insurance. At the earli- 
est opportunity I put the question to him thus: 

“What provisions have you for a man if his crop 
fails? or if he is visited by cyclone, drought, or hail- 
storm, or other elementary accidents, in the way of fire 
or flood?” 

“The highest possible protection,” he ansVered. 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 125 

“The government is the guardian of every ci;tiz,en» In 
regard to insurance, each city or municipality cares for 
itself in that respect. Two per cent margin is charged 
on all goods dirtribiited by the municipal government; 
less than one per cent is sufficient to cover all the 
breakage and shrinkage, and the balance is made into 
a fund, known as ‘the accident fund’; and any accident 
from fire, fiood, cyclone, drought, or otherwise, is paid 
out of this fund. Proofs of the amount of damage 
must immediately be sent to the government’s agency; 
then it is the duty of the city or county inspector, to 
make such necessary inspections and report to the Ar- 
bitration Committee, which decides on the amount of 
money to be paid. 

“In case of a deficit in the local accident fund, caused 
through mammoth fires or other tremendous destruc- 
tiveness, the general government is called upon to 
make up such shortage. For this purpose the gov- 
ernment makes an assessment upon each and every 
local accident fund throughout the country. 

“Through this burdenless arrangement, you see, we 
have done away with those swindling operations, which 
in America are known as fire insurance, life insurance, 
accident insurance, and other innumerable frauds. 

‘ Last fiscal year we collected into our city accident 
fund $150,000; of which $100,000 was paid for damage 
incurred by fire; 625,000 was paid as pension to inva- 
lids; and 625,000 was deposited to the credit of our 
city accident fund, with the government treasurer. 

“We never keep any great amount of money in our 
city treasury. Whenever we have more money on 
hand than required for present use -such surplus is 


i2« THE LIOHT OF Et^EN 

deposited with the government; Where an account is 
kept of all such deposits; and the money is immediately 
destroyed as it returns into the hands of the govern- 
ment. Whenever any amount of money is needed, for 
any purpose, new money is always issued. No money 
is paid out by the government exept for value received. 
And no great amounts of money are ever kept in our 
tresuries. 

“We learned from our old system, that it was dan- 
ger for functional dishonesty or corruption to keep 
large amounts of money on hand. Now vve sim[)ly 
keep account of the deposits, and when needed or cal- 
led for, the government stamps its hat upon new [)aper. 
Thus we have overcome the great temptation of public 
robbery.” 

“But what’s your safeguard against counterhtting?” 
I inquired. 

“Counterhtting,” he replied, “is nearly impossible 
under our )>resent monetary system. First; our money 
is printed on specially prepared })aper. Second; it is 
all numbei'ed; and on a certain time every year it is all 
exchanged for new money, with different peculiar silk- 
treads running through it, of different color, and diffe- 
rent numbers. Third; the style of the new money is 
kept a secret until they get out among the people. 
Thus you see, it would constantly keep a person busy 
preparing plates and paper. Besides, counter ht- mon- 
ey, even if it was ever so perfect imitation, it could be 
told by the numbers, the hrst instance it was brought 
to the government exchange. 

“Counterhtting is an unknown trade among us, be- 
cause any person can hnd plenty off honest employment, 


127 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

which is preferable to taking chances of becoming a 
society outcast — a prisoner.’^ 

“To issue new money every year must be an enor- 
mous expense on the government!” 1 ejaculated. To 
which Mr. Howard made this reply: 

“The government’s gain through loss or destruction 
of such notes in the people’s hands, is more than suf- 
ticient to cover all the expenses of printing etc. 

“Furthermore, the amount of those notes required 
in actual use, is not always as great as you may think. 

“Our people have full contidence in the government; 
hence in preference to carrying their money about, 
taking chances of losing it, they deposit it with the 
government. So you see, the greater part of our com- 
merce is done simply with credit, more than with cre- 
dit-money. Nearly all of your American commercial 
transactions are done with credit. But instead of the 
credit of the government — the whole people — you are 
using the credit or credit-notes of a few ignominious 
money-sharks, with a central headquarter. All the 
money in your country is about one billion dollars; 
yet your debts public and private are over forty billion 
dollars. What other can this thirty-nine billions dol- 
lars be? than simply the credit of the money-lender; 
#n which you are paying interest.” 

“Don’t you keep a certain amount of money, per 
capita, in circulation at all times?” I asked. 

‘‘Certainly not,” he replied. “Our money-circula- 
tion ii automatically governed by the demand. 

“To keep a certain per-capita circulation would be 
on the same principle, as if a man in business should 
make out a certain numder, say fifty, one dollar notes, 


128 


THE LIGHT OF RI>KH 


payable to bearer. Then if for some purpose or other, 
he needed 200; why could he not as easy make 1.50 
more? It would only require one cent worth of paper. 
On the other hand if he had 200, and only needed 50; 
and the 150 were left to the disposal of his employees, 
the temptation to appropriate some of them for their 
own use would be very strong. But if there were non 
to steal, none could be stolen. Would it not be safer 
for him to destroy his notes as fast as he collected them 
and make new ones whenever needed? 

“To keep a certain amount of money in circulation 
at all times would be very impracticable. Fluctuations 
in prices, and periodical confusion in commerce, would 
be the consequence. If the money-volume is limited 
to a certain amount, it is an evident fact, that the price 
of the country’s produce must be regulated thereby; in 
other words, all the country’s produce must be bought 
with such amount, be it small or large. Thus if you 
have $100 with v.diich to buy 1000 bushels of wheat, its 
prio^ would bo ten cents per bushel. And if you have 
$1,000 with which to buy 1,000 bushels of wheat, the 
price would be $1 per bushel, etc. 

“Take for instance in the autumn season, when it 
requires an enormous amount of money, probably $200 
per capita, to purchase the country’s produce; if you 
have only $50 with which to buy $200 vv^orth of goods, 
it is evineut that the producer can only receive one 
fourth of tlieij’ actual value. 

“A certain limit of the circulation per capita, would 
be practically, no amelioration from the old barbarous 
S 3 ' 6 tem, when gold only was used as money. Then a 
few individuals— a money ring— could control all the 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


129 


money, thereby control the prices of products. There 
was no remedy of relief; as the gold could not be pro- 
duced in ample quantities to till the requirement; hence 
a premium (interest). The same it would be with our 
government money. If its issue was limited to any 
certain amount the money-monger would soon have it 
cornered and demand a premium on it. 

“Those greedy accumulators, in controlling the mon- 
ey they independently regulate the market. In order 
to pay his taxes, hired help, and other expenses, the 
producer is forced to accept for his produce whatever 
the ring see fit to pay. Under our old system, it fre- 
quently occurred, that a clique of gamblers bought up 
nearly all the staple produce of the country for about 
one half of their actual value. Then after having them 
‘cornered’ Tor monopolized, they gradually raised the 
price to suit their own caprice or avarice; thereby rob- 
bing the producer out of several hundred millions of 
dollars yearly.” 

“But under your system, when the government sole- 
ly conducts all the commerce, is it not making a mono- 
poly out of the government?” I asked. 

Mr. Howard hesitated a moment, then made this re- 
ply: “Instead of a monopoly, it is a philanthropy! 
Inasmuch as the government is the whole people, every 
citizen is equally benefited. Our government operates 
under no patent-law, franchises, protective tariff etc., 
in order to shut out competition. There are no restric- 
tions against private individuals <Jompetiiig with the 
government.” 

“But who will be so generous as to build railroads 
and operate free of charge? or to purchase merchan- 


130 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


dise and sell on no margin or protit I questioned. 

“None!” he ex(;laimed, “nor do we desire such gene- 
rous? people among us. 

“In America,” he continued, “instead of free compe- 
tition, you have combination against competition. On 
the same principle, as a regiment of 1000 soldiers, all 
lighting and quarrelling among themselves, permitting 
their enemy to triumph over them, with only 100 well 
t)rganize‘xl men.” 

This last illustration came so near picturing out the 
essence of the American industrial system, that I was 
forced to surrender my cherished opinion to practi(;al 
demonstrations. 




CHAPTER XX. 

day was general election day, which curi- 
ously interested me. To one accustomed to 
American elections, this performance was not 
recognizable as such. Of the numerous signs carried 
on cabs and hacks on election day — so familial to us in 
America — none were visible; no hacks dai rying voters 
back and forth; no grmt politicians condescending to 
shake hands with the toiler in overalls; no crimson tip- 
ped noses; no irish list-arguments; and no saloons .eith- 
er closed .or open; and above all, n<» one to influence 
the voters. 

Addressing a bystander, 1 inquired what the qualifi- 
cations for citizenship were?” 

“Citizenship is a natural inborn right,” he replied. 
It is the heritage of every honest worker. Everyone 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


131 


who is an actual laborer is a legal voter. You dont ask 
what are the qualilications for producing the necessar- 
ies of man’s subsistence, do you ? Whoever has hands 
and intellect has a natural right to labor; and whoever 
is willing to exert himself has right to a voice in the 
public business. Those who are disqualified to labor 
are disqualitied to vote, such as invalids, minors, and 
woman. Government employees however, have no 
right to vote while tiiey remain such. Idlers and lazy 
people are not citizens, hence they are not voters.” 

"‘’To interrupt,” said i. ''What are the serious rea- 
sons, why your government employees and women, are 
not allowed to vote?” 

"The government employees,” he replied, “are very 
numerous; hence with a united vote they could elect 
their own favorite, which if constantly repeated, would 
in course of time establish a dictatorial government.” 

“As to women, their duty is neither to work in the 
fields, factories, woods, mines, nor in office occupa 
tions. Their duty, is to attend to the houseiiold, creaUi 
pleasure and comforts of life, and promote civilization 
for the future generation. Therefore they are not re- 
quired to attend to public affairs. Our motto is thi^ : 
‘Whoever has a voice in the public business must 

SHAKE THE TOIL WITH THE PRODUCER’.” 

I then questioned him about foreigners, if they als(j 
bad a right to vote ?” 

Looking at me curiously, he asked from what part 
of the glo!>e I sojourned. To which I replied, that 1 
w'^as an American. 

With n sarcastic smile, he said: “Oh, then I sympa- 
thize with your ignorance. 


132 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


“Forei^ers,” he continued, “are human beings like 
ourselves, and citizens of the earth — nature designed 
no peculiar spot to any of his creations. Hence if a 
human being who, not through his own fault, was born 
on some other spot of the earth, should arrive among 
us, bringing two able willing hands, and desire to culti- 
vate and reside on a vacant piece of soil; on what 
grounds could his right be denied as a citizen? 

“Our ancestors were all foreigners — same as your 
American ancestors. When our country was tirst sett- 
led by white people, and all the inhabitants were either 
foreigners or savages, who were then citizens? and who 
had voice in the public business? Those who should be 
recognized as genuine natives are the savages; whom 
the white population have hunted and hounded from 
one end of the broad land to the other; those if any, 
have the right to claim any preference as citizens. 

“While you Americans occupy your attention to- 
wards the immigration of laborers, you overlook the 
most vital problem, which is the immigration and im- 
portation of capitalists and capital. While the laborer 
is a wealth- producer, the captalist is a wealth-absorber. 
Your country with its vast areas of vacant productive 
soil, if production and the gifts of nature were justly 
divided, would comfortably su[)port twenty times as 
many people as it now does. You Americans look up 
with great respect U) the idlers — the absorbers of 
wealth; and shun and scorn the virtuous laborers — the 
producers of wealth. 

“Sup{>osing ten men, with nothing but one million 
dollars each, and none of them willing to work, should 
accidentally l>e deserted upon an uninhabited island; 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


133 


wbo would supjxu’t them? Again; if ten men with no 
capital, but all willing hands, should likewise be desert- 
ed upon an uninhabited productive island; they would 
produce their own subsistence, from the storehouse 
of nature.’’ 

"‘lint our American forefathers fought for the free- 
doui of the country,” said 1, “for that reason they are 
more entitled to citizenship than foreigners.” 

“Were iK)t the majority of them foreign born also? 
and all of them foreign descendants? And if a light 
for liberty should again occur, would not the foreign 
born among you be called upon to ‘defend the flag’ of 
youi- country? We may have power as a community 
to rob the individuals of their votes on the plea that 
they are foreigners; but the power and injustice lies in 
the numbers. It is because the foreigners are in the 
minority that they will submit to being robbed. But 
in all such cases the community commits a crime; and 
a very contemptible one at that. Because some people 
landed on the shores of a country a few years earlier 
than others, that is no moral reason why they should 
be the sole dominators for all times to come.” 

“But, how can a stranger know how to vote right?” 
1 asked. 

“All the candidates on the ticket,” he repl ed, “are 
fully com|)etent; and if any objectionable or ( ishonest 
character should endeavor to secure his name on the 
ticket; his reputation is well circulated a few^ days be- 
fore election — our public intelligence (press) is in the 
hands of the government. Even if a dishonest man 
tlirough unpreventable maneuvering, should accidental- 
ly be elected; his lirst dishonest act would impeach him. 


134 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

Such things as influencing voters, buying votes, stuffing 
ballot-box^ , forcing employees to vote against their 
own will, under threats and fear of being deprived of 
the opportunity to labor like a slave for a scant sub- 
sistence; are unprofitable as well as impracticable. Our 
new voting S3^stem put an end to all those evil germs. 
We abolished the ballot voting system over fifty 3^ears 
ago, and are now using the electric voting machine. 

“In order to be a voter, you are required to state 
your occupation and how long employed, and if idle, 
how long; and give your address and signature; at the 
city clerk’s office, at least ten 
days before the election. 

“The registration books are 
kept in the precinct inspection 
room (A) on election day. Plach 
voter must ^ass before the in- 
spection committee, where he is 
required to write his name and 
address, then such autograph is 
compared with the one on the 
registration l)ooks. Then if he 
is a quail lied voter, he is per- 
mitted to enter into the voting 
room (B), where he is left to 
himself to choose and do his voting; which time in lim- 
ited to one minute. 

“The names of the three rival candidates for the 
same position are placed in a vertical line on the ^'oting 
machine (see diagram ii); and an electric push-liutton 
is beside each candidate’s name. You can only vote 
for one candidate for each position. When you push 


DIAGRAM I 



B 

• Machine • 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


135 


one of the three buttons in each vertical line, all three 
close simultaneously, and so on. When you have voted 
for one candidate for each position, all the buttons are 
closed, and remain closed til a new voter enters the 
voting room. 

DIAGRAM II 


1 Governor - City Mavor - Representatives - Proposed Rawi I 

! I, , i 

I * Jones II * Harper || * Kiehardson H * For Act 1 | 

I * Henry i * Mason jj * Hai ison H 3|c Against act l| 

i >i< Smith 4 I] ^ Harvey ! 

Notice: Can vote for unlv OaE for each position. i 

i ; i 

‘‘The meclianism attached to the door, which causes 
its opening and shutting, also regulates the opening of 
the push-buttons. The machine is so constructed that 
it counts and sums up all the votes cast for each and 
every candidate. This also does away with the fraud 
in counting votes, and stuffing ballot-boxes, which 
caused endless trouble under our old voting system. 

“All our election days are, what you may call, gene- 
ral holidays. Keither a train or a street-car moves, 
nor a vehicle. This prevents voters from casting their 
votes at several ])olling places.^’ 

After making all these remarkable illustrations and 
explanations, the stranger politely excused himself, and 
remarked that he wished his time would permit him to 
entertain me longer. 

As he had gone, it struck my thought that if such 
voting system was brought into operation in America, 
it would assist materially in bringing about reform. 


CHAPTER XXI 

O N my next visit to Wicksby’s, as I was seated in 
the library room viewing some beautiful oil- 
paintings; it befell my thought how they had 
solved the problem of libe tinism? 

Mr. Wicksby was the c i ly one in the room with me; 
and at the earliest opportunity 1 questioned him where 
the low and unsafe places of the city were'^” 

“I do not understand what you mean unsafe plac- 
es, Mr. Richard; there are no unsafe p|^, <^>ur city. 

By low {)laces, I suppose you mean low lands and un- 
healthy places. You will find them on the other side of 
the river; where the land cannot be properly drained.’^ 
“No, I mean places where it is dangerous to go in 
the evening after dark, for fear of getting sand- bag- 
ged and robbed.” 

Looking at me with great astonishment, he exclaim- 
ed: “Robbed and sand-bagged I Why! Is that still in 
practice over in your country? The people who were 
operating in that line of industry in this contry, are 
all dead now.” 

I then related to him that this was one of the most 
prosperous industries in America. That when a stran- 
ger arrived into a great metropolis, and walking along 
the sidewalk in the evening, he was very liable to be 
pulled into some dark alley and sand-bagged and rob- 
bed; then afterwards taken to the police station, charg- 
ed with drunkenness, and probably Lla-A $10.” 

“You just mentioned it,” said he. “Drunkenness 

- 186 - 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


137 


was one of the chief causes in our country, and social 
conditions was the other. I can remember in my school 
boy days, what is called Bay Street, was in those days 
known by the nickname ‘Sporting Alley^ That was 
the principal street where the chief operators had their 
dens. On that street were none but houses of prosti- 
tution, gambling-dens and saloons. Young people 
generally assembled at those places to have, what they 
called ‘sport’. Drinking was then in order, gambling 
next, etc. 

“All those ev'^'' became a thing of the past when we 
abolished the is, and fitted up our ward buildings 
and parks around them for places of assemblage and 
amusement. The young people found those places of 
assemblage far superior to the low dens, where they 
were liable to be robbed and perhaps physically in- 
jured. We have also made provisions for honest em- 
ployment for all our citizens, which is naturally prefer- 
able to licentiousness.” 

“But is it possible that you have withered that 
damnable blot on humanity; such as licentiousness and 
prostitution, through the simple remedy of providing 
for honest employment for all your citizens; besides 
abolishing the saloons? If so, what a blessed society. 
More I learn of your social conditions more I admire 
them. 

“But do you really believe Mr. Wicksby, that pover- 
ty is the principal cause to prostitution?” 1 asked. 

“It is,” he replied. “Nearly all of our young maid- 
ens who i in those days were led astray, \v ere through 
the cause of poverty, and conditions. 

“Nature has provided all of his creatures with love; 


13S 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


love for each other. But under such despotic destitute 
social conditions as you Americans tolerate, the love is 
crushed out of the human heart. Marriao*es are fre- 
quently done for riches — not for love. People in the 
low grade of poverty look upon the marriage question 
as an impossibility; which it nearly is. And if they 
should inconsiderately tie up in a marriage contract, 
and raise a family, extreme poverty would be the direct 
result. 

“Here, marriages are always done for love; there is 
no fear of poverty. Young folks look upon the mar- 
riage question as a life of happiness and pleasure. 
Divorces are occurences of rare intervals. 

“In your country one half of the people do not mar- 
ry at all; simply for fear of .poverty. And the largest 
portion of them that do marry, either divorces legally, 
on a complaint of ''none %upport\ or parts by mutual 
consent; and gives up the marriage life as a failure. 
In ninety cases out of one hundred poverty is the cause 
of this unpleasantness through the journey of life. 
What fruits can you expect from such conditions? but 
degradation and crime. 

‘'Is it not very frequent among you Americans, for 
a beautiful maiden to sell herself as a slave — to marry 
for riches, against her own will ? And the fear of po- 
verty is the cause.'’ 

To all this, my conviction forced me to concede. 

At this juncture Adella entered the library and inU'r- 
rupted our conversation, and made it a trio discussion. 

After Mr. Wicksby had left the room, evidently r' 
to attend to some business, I propounded this question: 

“Something which has not been made clear to me is 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


isrsf 


why all the women I meet here are so thoroughly edu- 
cated on the sociological and moral questions^ Please 
explain to me Adelia what need your feminine popula- 
tion have for such high education? They neither vote, 
nor work in olHces where education is necessary.” 

“There is nothing queer about that,” replied Adelia. 
“It is just as necessary for the women to have a good 
education as for the men. Principally on the women 
depends the civilization of the future generation. If 
you degrade the women to illiterate slaves, you degrade 
civilization. 

“It is highly necessary for the women to have a 
thorough education on those questions,” continued A- 
della. “JSdt as 1 understand over in your country, 
where the females are educated to perform the choice 
vocations of the males — they are the males’ rivals. 
Hence the table is reversed, and the woman must worK 
and support the family, while the husband is unable to 
procure employment, as machinery and women do 
his work — the men must rock the cradle. 

“The woman as a mother, is the germ to the future 
civilization. Whatever is moulded in the child’s mind 
from the cradle and mother’s care, let such impression 
be moral or immoral, the essence of it will remain with 
him to his grave. 

“A woman’s duty is a mother and care and education 
for fhe future generation; and not to perform any vo- 
cation of a man’s, be it choice or otherwise. Such as 
oltice work, factory employment, etc., are not women’s 
duties. 

“Your \faHhionahle socity class in America, educates 
theii- children to priority a;^ superior l)eings; while 


140 THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

the producing population, living in huts and hovels, 
are trained to respect tiiose ''refineiT beings as their 
masters. One class gradually exalts to priority and 
masters, while the other gradually degrades below the 
instinctive animals. Look at the conditons in America 
at present, and see if a human slave is not worth less 
than a horse? Is not the loss (death) of a horse mourn- 
ed more by his master than the death of his servant ? 

“The so-called b-elined’ beings, who are educated to 
greatness and priority, and to shun honest work. Sup- 
posing through some unforeseen obstacle on the jour- 
ney of life, circumstances should force them to provide 
their own subsistence. Their imprinted arrogance 
would not permit them to do honest work; in prefer- 
ence they would become criminals. 

“What can the future generations drift into through 
such jwnicious })rinciples? ’’ 

For fear that she was wound up for a considerable 
lenght of time, 1 interrupted her scientific arguments, 
and drifted the conversation on different subjects. 
Thinking that too much [)hilsophy might seriousl;y 
confuse my mind, as the truth is the most dangerous 
enemy to old established o|)inion8. 


CHAPTER XXII 

W HEN 1 came home that evening J picked U|:) the 
Goldbury Evening Dispatch, and sat down 
for a i|uict perusiil of the news. On looking 
over its columns my eyes accidentally got fixed on the 
heading “Marriage Notices^. 1 got fairly thunder- 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


141 


struck as I happened to read the first notice under the 
heading, anouncing the marriage of Harry Blanchard 
to Viola Hartford. 

It is useless to say, that I did not sleep a wink that 
night. The next day I was unable to study, and plead- 
ed sick. I consumed several glasses of crow, which 
strengthened me considerably — as this was a strengthe- 
ning drink and not intoxicating. After a cou])le of 
hours sleep I was awakened by the letter-carier deliver- 
ing a letter at my room. 

On opening it and glancing over its brief lines, the 
notice I had read in the Evening Dispatch was confirm- 
ed, by an invitation to the w’edding. 

Three days to wait for that wedding seemed about as 
long to me, as for the money-shark to wait for the 
interest day to come around. But while the money- 
lender is praying to his God (the golden calf) for the 
earth to revolve faster; 1 was praying for it to move 
slower. 

As it was customary to bring feminine companion, I 
invited Miss Adel la \A'icksby for my partner. 

On the affixed day we boarded a train for Farming- 
ton, arriving in ample time for the wedding. 

Viola’s sister Ethel and a young gentleman rec^'t 
us at the door, and escorted us into a reception room, 
where a general introduction was made. 

Ethel, in some res])ects. resembled Viola; she w'as 
tall and stately; the resemblance was principally in 
their forms, their voices dilfered materially, and she 
lacked the firm disposition and directness of manner, 
so characteristic of V iola. 

“1 want to introduce you to the bride,” she said, 


142 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


directing her conversation to Adella. ‘‘Then if you 
are ready you can meet her.” 

I was anxious for a conversation with Viola, but op- 
portunities did not allow it. 

All the invited guests were now present — including 
the Judge — and we were ready to proceed. 

Presently the Bride and Groom a[)i)eared and took a 
standing position in the center of the palatial }mrlor. 
Myself and Adel la were called upon to act as witnesses 
to the tie. 

Then the Judge approached, stood before them and 
asked this question; 

‘‘Miss Viola Hartford, and Mr. Harry Blanchard, are 
you ready to declare before these Ns itnesses, on your 
w’ord and honor, that you will henceforth recognize 
each' other as exclusive consorts*?” Each answering 
separately: 

‘‘I do.” 

The , Judge now anounced to those present, that Miss 
Viola Hartford and Mr. Harry Blanchard had now 
entered into a matrimonial union, and were married 
according to the rule and customs of the country. 

After the ceremony we all marched in coujdes to the 
dining hall, where an elegant dinner was served. 

The afternoon was spent in all sorts of amusement. 
When the evening came a large conveyance was at the 
door, and all the young people were taken to the ball- 
room, where the music struck u[) as soon as we had 
dis))Osed of our wraps— the ward buildings were always 
serviceable for such occasions. A large crowd had pre- 
viously gethered; and thej^ fell in behind the wedding 
\ arty who led the graiid march. 


143 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

A waltz was the next on the proorram; after which 1 
soon had an opp>ortunity for a dance and a conversation 
with the bride. 

The merriment was kept up til 12 o’clock midnight; 
when everyone boarded his train or car for home. 

-o>oOH<lte>o<o 

CHAPTER XXIII- 

O NE of the many monotonous days at the college, 
Mr. Martin proposed a prominade to central 
park garden — a place where people generally 
assembled for all sorts of amusements and merriments. 

Nothing could ])lea3e me more than a walk along the 
beautifully boulevarded streets. 1 readily confirmed 
his proposition, and we were off at once. 

In a seat close to mine — watching a game of billiard, 
same as I was -set a gentleman who I recognized as 
Mr. Carter, a reporter of the Goidlmry Tribune. He 
also recognized me, and ^ve were soon engaged in an 
interesting conversation. 

“Are you yet thoroughly convinced on the morality 
of our social system Mr. Kichard i^” he asked. 

I replied that I was, at least what part of it I had 
given thorough study. 

1 then questioned him some about the collection and 
distribution of new s, and the publishing and manage- 
ment of the new spai)ers if 

“The national govermnent,” he replied, “furnishes all 
the press dispatehes free of charge. Each city or mu- 
nicipal government publishes its own papers. Our 
newspapers are solely for news, press dispatches and 


144 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


public notices. A stall of reporters is kept with each 
paper for gather tlie »ew8. All the news of any 
importance is sent to tiie central news office — which is 
operated by the national governmentr— from where it 
is transmitted by electric wires and simultaneously 
put in ty[)e form, at all the newspaper offices in the 
whole country. 

“We publish no ridicule or political confusion in our 
newspapers; same as I haw always noticed in the A- 
merican papers. For stories and pastime reading we 
have magazines, which are published by private indi- 
viduals. Political confusion is a thing of the past in 
our literary art. 

“The small sum of two dollars per year is charged 
the subscribers of daily papers. This small charge is 
sufficient for to cover the expenses of publishing etc. 
The delivering is done through the regular mail service, 
exept in densely populated districts, where special de- 
liverers are employed.” 

“What an enormous saving that must be to the peo- 
ple!” I interrupted. “In America, the largest portion 
of the people cannot avail themselves of knowledge, 
because a daily pajjer cost all the way from $5 to $12 
per year. In a city the size of Gold bury there would 
be about twenty newspapers, each employing an army 
of men. Here, 1 am surprised to learn that you have 
only three — morning, noon, and evening [)apers — doing 
better service than twenty would; as the old true pro- 
verb says: ‘too many oe^ks spoil the soup’ so it is 
with our American newspapers. One is telling a lie, 
and the other is contifedicting it, hence confusion. Be- 
sides, their sjmee is devoted too freely in comnienting 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


146 


upon ‘charity’ (free soup) and ‘missionary’ questions. 

“But is it not danoer of corruption in allowing the 
government to conduct so many institutions?” 

“There is no incentive for corruption where there 
are no money transactions,” he replied. “For that 
reason, oui; public institutions are free of direct charge. 
The only possible danger would be, if any of the go- 
verimient employees should fail to perform his duty. 
Even in that case, upon a complaint from live or more 
citizens, an investigation may be instituted, and if the 
complaint ’proves to be true, such em[)loyee is immedi- 
ately relieved from service. 

"‘The only reason that we make a direct charge for 
the newspapers, is that some people don’t care to read 
them, and we do not desire to impose an indirect charge 
upon people unless they enjoy the full benelit thereof. 

“All our government institutions, from which it is 
considered that all our citizens derive e(iual benetits, 
are maintained from royalties and ground-rents. Take 
for instance the street-cars, all the people ride more or 
less on them. The railroads the same, and even if the 
individuals personally don’t ride on the railroad-trains, 
they all consume or produce goods that nearly all must 
be trf!ns[)orted on them. Everyone sends more or 
less mail and telegrams. The telephones, which we 
have in nearly every house, cost nominally to maintain 
after once constructed; each residence must shind its 
own expense of construction and repairs, if they desire 
the convenience afforded by them.” 

“But again considering the newspaper question,” 
said I, “I still fail to see, how you can keep \ our press 
from becoming corrupt. Could it not be done by brib- 


146 


THE LIGHT OF EDEF 


ing the re|K)rters . and editors, to publish political 
slander under the pretense of news ^’ 

“Certainly not,” he replied. “In 'the lirst place 
there would be no personal gain in having such slander 
published; and besides, bribing is nearly impossible, 
because all the reporters and editors are und<?r bonds, 
and in such case their bonds ^muld be forfeited. All 
the news must have the signature of the first informant 
attached to it, which also is published in the paper; and 
it is a severe penalty for anyone to cause a lie to be 
published in our newspapers. It is the duty of the 
reporters to investigate if possible, the truth of any 
information, furnished by anyone for publication. Our 
editors and reporters must be graduates in journalism 
from the professional class of college. 

“The severe difficulty with the American newspaper 
system, is in the monopoly of the news. Your tele- 
graph system is owned by gi*eedy oppressive monopo- 
lies, ^vhich also constitute the majority of the law- 
makin r power. 

“Your political corruptionists use the daily pres^^ a-i 
a tool to maintain prejudice and confusion, purposely 
for to draw public attention away from their rascality. 
If anyone audaciously advocates the cause of labor, he 
is ridiculed by the entire press of the- country. 

“Whenever the corruptive monopolies ^»^ant a fa- 
vorable law enacted, no matter how ridiculou$ it imiA 
be, they nearly always succeed, it’s gradually moulded 
through the daily press. First a few m}'steriou^ lines 
commence to appear in the ympers, which gradually)' 
increase until several columns are devoted to it, ex- 
pressing in all kinds of fluent language the necessity of 


147 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

such act. On its face it appears smooth and shinino-, 
but its destructiveness is hidden for the common drudoe 
by mysterious phrases. 

“Look over the political record of the past and >ee 
if I am not right. They even succeeded in destroying 
the government money, and forced the government to 
borrow money and pay live per cent interest. It ma 
sound ridiculous a man having $1,000 and knowing* 
ly and willingly destroys them; then borrows another 
$1,000 — no better but hardly as good — and pays liftv 
dollars per annum premium. They also succeeded in 
having built one or more railroads on the government’^ 
credit and land, and had them transfer ed to private in* 
dividuals, withouth one dollar of ic nmneration being 
paid to the government therefore. Only through ; Mo- 
nopolizing the people’s information are such conspira- 
cies made possible. What social conditions can you 
exi)ect in a country where a tyranical element contro Is 
the intelligence of the people?” 

‘^Wliy!” I exciaimcd, ’’you are better informed on 
my own country’s history than myself. 

“But how would you proceed Mr. Carter, in order 
to bring about social reform in America through, a, 
pea oeful revolution?” 

“Kill tiie enemy with his own sword!” was the lirir. 
lejdy. “The daily press, which is the moulder of pub- 
lic opinion, is the medium through which i)ad condi- 
tions have been brought about. Use the same medium 
to bring good conditions about. Ko relief for the de- 
spairing masses can ever come through a bloody revo- 
lution. Those who get: the fewest scars walk, olf with 
the booty — se(* the civil war of 1861 — 65. Those ho 


148 


THE LIGHT OF EDEJS 


never spilled a drop of blood on the battle-field saddled 
a heavy debt on the nation; that their posterity may 
forever live on the interest of the plunder — live on the 
fruit of the unfortunate’s toil. The colored bondmen 
were freed from the bondage, at the cost of the liberty 
of those who freed them. 

“Through the people’s intelligence only, can social 
r^-furm be brought about. And through the daily 
})ress — the moulder of public opinion — can the poison- 
ous prejudice be wrested from the people’s mind.” 

“Those are most astonishing remarks!” 1 exclaimed* 

After discussing and sugesting other methods, in re- 
lation to the most efiectnal remedies of bringing about 
social reform, Mr. CUrtor was interrupted by a com- 
])anioa, and they proceeded on their liomeNv^ard way. 


CHAPTER XXIV 

course at school was near at end, and my prin- 
cipal s})eculation was on my adventuresom ' 
undertaking of an airship-journey to America. 

Sitting in my room one afternoon, inwartlly chafing 
at the dreary solitude, 1 resolved to pay a visit to 
Wickby’s; as 1 had not seen Adella for more than two 
weeks — since the w edding. 

Adella was in (]uiVe a talkative mood that evenini:, 
e.nd highly delighted wdlh my company. 

“How ilid you like the wedding party Mr. Kichard?” 
she commenced, “an<l how did you enjoy youreif at the 
gallore? The dance and merriment after a wedding is 
wdiat we call a gallore, in which it is customary that all 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


149 


who desire merriment can take part, and congratulate 
the new married coinde.” 

“It was 'grand!”' I exclaimed. “Grand! But to me it 
was a compiete surprise; and one of m^' own partners 
it was; I was com[)lettly baffled.” 

“Well on his visit to America he will have the pleas- 
ure of a female comi)anioii,” she remarked. “How 
soon are you going on your journey Jim'^ Oh, I do 
Nvihli to go to America. Prol)ably you wouUOA like to 
have me for a companion, for fear you would be ridi- 
culed by the American beauties^” 

“I should i»e more than delighted to have you for 1113' 
companion,” J replied, as 1 took her hand in mine. 

But if your parents slam Id ob ject to our 

“That'S not a matter for them to decide;, what 1 am 
to do in that rer} ect!” she declared. “What business 
can it })Ossible be of theirs, whom, when and how 1 
•diall marry ^ as l< ng ;is I am at mature age. Is that a 
custom in America, for i)arents to compel their child- 
ren, whom and wlien to lovt;: How can my parents 
tell if I love a^ou or not? And how can they tell if 
you love me or not? That’s a matter for us to decide, 
and certainh' inpiossible for tliem. 

•\F(U’ others to decide on who one should marry^ 
would be direct interfeience with natural laws; and 
ver\ often ))eo})le would marry against their own will. 
Is’nt that one reii.'on why vour courts in America ar(5 
crowded with divorces P’ 

“Your arguments arc very scientitic,” said I. “But 
what grounds are necessary for a diyorce here? or 
what laws have you to that ellect P’ 

“We have no statutory law to that effect,” she an- 


160 


THE LIGHT OF ED EE 


swered. ^‘We are governed altogether bj the iTi^ rril 
law, which fundamental principle is justice — morality 
is the foundation for our superticial or fickle laws; all 
other laws are superfluous and injurious. Every o-.e 
knows through his own conscience when he commits an 
injustice to his fellow-man, does he not?^’ 

“Then you have abolished the 'courts and lawyers 
also,^’ said I. This was the greatest surprise which 
had yet confronted me; when I could remember that 
everything in America depended upon the courts and 
lawyers; that any act of the law-makers — the represen- 
tation of the whole people — may be revoked at the di- 
rect instigation of a few "advisory’ lawyers and dicta- 
torial judges (as unconstitutional?). 

“Lawyers!” exclaimed Adella. “What use have we 
for them, when we have no crocked laws? We arbi- 
trate all difliculties between our citizens; justice in this 
country is free; hence a man need not spend his last 
dollar buying justice. In America, as 1 understand, 
those who have the most money can buy justice in 
their own favor, while in consequence thereof, those 
who have less money must suffer.” 

Mr. Wicksby had entered the room in the meantime, 
» and took part in the conversation. He was an expert 
narrator; and questioned if we had any objectkms to 
a narratical story, which would probably be of some 
information, he remarked. To which we both replied, 
that it would be our greatest delight. After some in- 
troductory remarks, he began: 

“There was a man who had seven sons; their names 
were: Sam, John, David, Nick, Clarence, Lucky, and 
Joe. The six were very energetic and industrious, and 


151 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

the seventh (Joe) was a lazy worthless fellow. 

“The father was getting quite along in years, and 
one day he called his seven sons together for the pur- 
pose of instructing and advising theni regarding their 
journey through life. Seven slats were procured and 
lirmly tied together in one bunch. ‘Now,’ said he, ‘can 
any of you break these seven slats?’ All tried, but 
none succeeded. 

“ ‘I’ll show you,’ said he, ‘how easily they can be 
broken;’ as he untied them, and broke one by one. 

‘Anyone can break them that way,’ remarked Sam. 

“ ‘You seven sons,’ said the father, ‘represent; these 
seven slats; if you stay united and work jointly no one 
can disrupt you, but if you part and scatter you are 
at the mercy of everybody. Let this always be your 
motto: ‘united we stand, divided we fall’.’ 

“Sometime after the father’s death they proposed to 
undertake a cruise of adventure to a distant land. 
There were some objections about having Lazy Joe a- 
long. But Sam reminded them of their father’s warn- 
ing, to always stay united. ‘Besides,’ commented Sam, 
‘Joe has saved all of his inheritance, and even accumu- 
lated more, through having all his money lent out on 
interest.’ 

“ ‘But, what good are those shiny dollars in a foreign 
country?’ said John. 

“ ‘Oh, we can exchanofe them for their commodity 
value in any gold-worshiping country,’ replied Sam. 

“A suitable craft was soon procured, and the seven 
brothers ventured on their voyage. After being out 
for some time, bright and early one morning, an island 
was sighted; and as their provisions were about ex- 


152 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


hausted they decided to set ashore. 

“They soon discovered that the island was uninhabit- 
ed; but as luck it was, one had brought an axe, one a 
saw, onother a gun, another some fishing tackle, in fact 
each one of the six had brought something of use; but 
Joe had brought nothing but money, which certainly 
was a useless article upon an uninhabited island. 

“Joe was somewhat posted on financiering, and knew 
what could be done with money. He offered the other 
six one dollar each for to work for him that day. 
This of course they eagerly accepted, being elated to 
strike a job the first day. Two were put to work 
erecting a cabin of poles and bark, and to construct a 
table, bench, etc., for furniture,' one to hunt for game, 
one to fish, one to hunt for nuts and fruits, and one to 
prepare a dinner of the sundry products. When the 
day was spent, and the meal prepared through the co- 
operative efforts of the workers, all were tired and 
hungry; Joe paid each one a dollar — the day’s wages 
as agreed upon. ‘All these things have 1 orderd and 
paid for,’ said he, ‘no one can dispute my exclusive 
right of possession. Now I propose to give you all a 
square meal for a dollar each. Their hunger compelled 
them to accept. After the meal all silently departed 
feeling badly cowed; as they had no money for lodging 
they were compelled to seek shelter in the woods. 

“When they had located themselves for the night, 
Sam said: ‘Just think what blockheads we have been 
today, building that cabin, and providing a lot of good 
eatables and giving it nearly all to Lazy Joe, just for 
the privilege of handling those six dollars a few mo- 
ments!’ 


153 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

“ ‘No,’ said David, ‘we are not to blame, that greedy 
Joe just went and took it.’ ‘Yes but with your own 
consent,’ replied Sam. ‘Well, he furnished the capital 
for the enterprise and it is no more than right that we 
should allow something for interest.’ ‘Oh, I’ll tell you 
where we missed it,’ said Nick, ‘we worked too cheap. 
Had we received >^2 each it would have been plenty for 
all necessities and some over. The labor is ours and 
we have right to ask for it any price we like. Let us 
strike for $2. ’ 

“All agreed to the proposition. While Joe having 
enough provisions left for himself he refused to com- 
ply with the terms proposed. The next day the six 
w ere laying around idle and hungry. 

“ ‘What is the reason we have such hard times to- 
day?’ said David, ‘no work, no food and no shelter.’ 

“ ‘Overproduction I suppose, there is no demand for 
anything,’ replied Clarence. 

“ ‘Overproduction and no demand for anything,' 
cried Sam. ‘Don’t we need anything? we have been 
hungry and without food all day.’ 

“‘Yes,’ joined in Nick, ‘but there is no demnnd for 
our labor, so where is the money coming from to pay 
for what we need? The trouble is we worked too fast. 
It is all due to the labor-saving machinery we used. I 
am sure that if we would have caught the fish by hand, 
cut the bark and poles with our teeth or a sharp stone, 

* caught the rabbits with a pointed stick, etc. , we would 
had plenty of work today.’ 

“ ‘No,’ replied Sam, ‘there is not too much produce, 
but it is not justly divided. One man is overstocked 
and six are destitute.’ 


154 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


“Sam went to Joe for his opinion on tb© question. 

“ ‘You see it matters not,’ said Joe, ‘how much you 
are in need, if you have no money you cannot buy, and 
if 1 cannot sell my produce it will be useless for me to 
employ you to produce some more. Let me tell you 
tliat your present ti’ouble originated in extravagance. 
You wanted to live as good as the rich. You must 
subsist on light diet when the market is overstocked. 
Men in your circumstances especially, must economize, 
or suffer the consequence of overproduction.’ Sam 
departed, feeling somewhat displeased with the infor- 
mation he received. 

“The next morning Joe offered the demanded wages 
and all went to work with light hearts and lighter 
stomachs. When, by co-operative efforts, they had a- 
gain prepared a big dinner, Joe told them the market 
was going up, and that he was obliged to charge $2,25 
apiece for a square meal. But, none having enough; 
they gambeled and fought among themselves for mon- 
ey, until at last the five managed to pay; the weakest 
one had to do without. After the dinner, Joe threw 
a few bones to the beggar, remarking that he felt it his 
duty to be charitable to his poor uufortunate brother. 
When the six had again departed and quartered them- 
selves in the woods, Sam called them together and ad- 
dressed them as follows: 

“ ‘Our motto is: ‘United we stand, divided we fall’. 
We have been fools long enough! Let us be men and 
make a change. Experience has proven that if we 
surrender our la])or to Lazy Joe, that immoral brother 
of ours, merely for the privilege of handling them 
shiner* for a few minutes, we are entirely at his mercy, 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


155 


and we get back the scantiest necessities of life; while 
he sits down in the shade and lives in luxury of the 
fruits of our toil. With united efforts we had our 
wages raised, and the price of our necessities went up 
even faster than the wages. This wage system is all 
wrong. Let us work for ourselves and be our own 
bosses. Now let us establish a Labor Exchange, and 
only exchange our own labor for equal toil of others, 
and not let us be deceived by that soft, glittering, al- 
most worthless metal, which neither feeds, warms nor 
shelters. Had we worked for ourselves from the be- 
ginning, instead of being duped with that idolatrous 
gold, we would all be well tixed today. Let Joe alone, 
and see if he can catch fish and rabbits by sitting in 
the shade. Let us make our own checks — out of pa- 
per — to keep accounts between ourselves and facilitate 
trade, and exchange on equal basis in any civilized 
country that desires any of our products.’ 

“Early the next morning everything was in a bustle. 
Three new huts were started and everybody worked 
with unusual zeal and energy. When Joe came to hire 
them — offering as high as $50 each for a day’s work — 
no one paid any attention to him. Seeing that he 
could not get their services in that way, he took Sam 
aside and offered to loan him all his money to carry on 
the enterprise in hand if he would allow him to share 
at their table and of their products, for interest on 
such capital invested.’ 

“ ‘No,’ said Sam. ‘No one would work for your 
gold now. None want it. As an exchange medium we 
can take less expensive material of our own make, 
thus saving the interest and much unnecessary work. 


156 


‘ THE LIGHT OF EDEE 


If you want to share our wealth you must also share 
our toil. For labor only will we yield our labor and 
its products, and on no other conditions. ’ 

‘^Joe laid his heavy purse aside, as a relic of past 
iniquities, and went to work like an honest man, doinpr 
his share for tlie privileoe of eating along at the table 
and sharing the wealth created by LABOR.” 

“Tiiat comes very near illustrating the present state 
of affairs in America,” 1 remarked. As he had ffnished 
the story. 

“The only difference is in the number of brothers 
and the number of da 3 ^s,” he answered. And added 
some comments upon it. 

Before I went home that evening, Adella presented 
me with the authobigrai hy of Sam Armstrong, one 
of the champion reformers, and the first governor of 
the REAL REPUBLIC. I afterwards studied this work 
with the greatest interest. 

The eighteenth and part of the nineteenth centuiy 
has a record so similar to the Americans today, that 
had I immigratd a hundred years earlier, nothing but 
the geographical differences would have attracted my 
attention. 

For informational benefit to the American people, 

1 will now quote an extract of the historical reoord 
from the reformation days: 


CHAPTER XXV 

BOUSE UP YE SLEEPING DUPES ! 

W HEN destitution and despair had reached the 
climax the people aroused from their lon^’ 
slumber. As soon as thoroughly infoniico 
of the prevailing conditions and the impendino* daii . er 
they became frightfully alarmed. A mass meeting \\\.s 
called for the pur[K)se of dk-cus-ing and agreeing upon 
some methods that would bring about reform. 

First speaker: — ‘‘Through the use of gold as money, 
the money-shark is enabled to monopolize our medium 
of exchange, on account of its small and inadequate 
quantity. Hence for every commercial transaction the 
money-lender can extort his dividend, in the way of 
premium (interst). Thereby, in course of time, absorb 
all our country’s wraith. 

“Let us change the matter, and make money out of 
a cheaper material, which can be produced in ample 
quantity; and theie))y, in one stroke stop the premi- 
um. or usury ])ractice.” 

Second speaker:— I fail to see any permanent relief 
through the plan of action proposed. To create a 
large volume of money would simply give the money- 
shark additional power whereby to monopolize the 

goil the source from which we derive our subsistence 

and upon which we exist. How could we exist with- 
out the soil ' The soil is the inheritance of God to all 
His creatures in common! 

“Free the soil, and man is free!” 

- 157 - 


I 


158 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


Third voice: — “The two former orators have suggest- 
ed some very drastic remedies; yet I fail to see how 
any of them can be a ‘cure-all’ for this vital problem 
now for discussion. 

“First I must explain the sophism of the second 
speaker, that if the government sboidd is-ue the mor - 
ej, it would give the money-shark a uiitional facilities 
whereby to monopolize the soil. T. ere is no philoso- 
phy in the speaker’s argument. If money is a medium 
by which to monopolize the soil, and you give the mon- 
ey-shark absolute authority to issue and control all the 
money in the country; what power does he then possess 
to monopolize the soil? 1 will now ask; how could the 
government money possibly accumulate in the hands of 
the money-lender ? Not one dollar of it would be paid 
out by the government exept for service rendered or 
for value received — it is distinctly understood that it 
should be non-interest bearing. If the money-lender 
is willing to work, the same as an honest man, he is 
welcome to all he can accumulate by the sweat of his 
brow. You land reformers may say: ‘Give me the 
soil, and you may have the money.’ But 1 say: Give 
me the power to make the laws of a country and to en- 
force them, and I shall see to get the fruits from the 
soil. You may then be my slaves. 

“The money is intended for a labor-saving device, 
and while the law s are made in its interest it is just as 
imperative to civilization as the soil to man’s existence. 
But, no permanent relief can be attained without liber- 
ating the spirit of inventions. 

“God has inspired into man the inventive genius for 
the benefit of mankind — not for the destruction of the 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


159 


rirtuous human annimal to the benefit of greed and 
soulless corporations (the devil). 

“According to statistical reports, only one fifth of 
the able adult population is constantly employed. The 
labor-saving machinery during the past thirty years 
has reduced the necessity of manual labor to about 
twenty per cent. Have the working hours been reduced 
simultaneously in the same ratio ? No! hence it is evi- 
dent that four fifths of the should-be laboring popula- 
tion must constantly be idle; and through all possible 
schemes derive their subsistence from the fruits of the 
worker’s toil. 

Turning to the blackboard, he made the following 
diagrams: 

* * 

“This Fruit represents six 
dollars wf)rih of weadh created 
by tlic toiler, or real producer, 
in ten hours, through the as- 
.pistance of inventive devices. 

‘‘I will now give you a fair illustration of its absorb- 
tion by the society vampires. 


Landlords and money-lords - - 20 per cent 

Speculatois ai.d monopolies on staple products 16 “ 

Wholesale and retail merchants - - 16 “ 

Lejral element, which includes lavish court practice 9 “ 

Advertising delusion ... - 7 “ 

Commission men and agents - - - 6 

Religious or mythological profession - - *4 “ 

Supporting tramps and workhouses - - 2 “ 

Real producer's residue - - 20 “ 



160 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


“It must also be remembered, that the producer’s 
share is not the choicest. After all the society vam- 
pires have taken the first bites, we will see what part 
remains for the laborer — the one who plants and nur- 
tures the tree, keeps it free trom insects and assists 
nature in every possible way, and even brings the 
fruits of his effort to the market. 


‘^The producer’s residue of 
the fruits of his own toil is 
20 per cent ; which, as a 
matter of course, constitutes 
the core (the seed part, or 
the ‘soup’-bones). 



* * 

“While the two former speakers want to abolish 
the land-lords and the money- lords — the absorbers of 
20 per cent of the fruits of labor; 1 seriously propose 
to abolish the whole network of society vampires — the 
absorbers of 80 per cent of the fruits of the toil; tken 
leave the laborer in peaceful possession of all the 
wealth he creates; besides, give him the opportunity to 
the full extent of his will and ability to create wealth; 
and adopt this motto: ‘If any will not work neither 
shaft he eat’.” 

“Abolish all society vampires!” echoed thousands of 
voices. A dozen more speakers were heard from, each 
suggesting a different remedy. The meeting was ad- 
journed without any mode of proceedure being agreed 
upon* 

The people commenced to discuss the philosophy of 


THE LIGHT OF EJjEJS 161 

the different remedies proposed, and came to- the con- 
clusion that they were just the reforms needed. 

Another rousing meeting was soon called, where the 
reform question was vigoi-ously argued. Finally one 
voice made^this bold su g on: 

"‘Wnat are we to lose li >»c j.aopt one or all of these 
remedies^ We are at the mercy of the oppressors 
now, and we certainly cannot create worse conditions 
than merciless slavery — make ourselves worse oh than 
dcsLitute slaves, same as we now are. But, my hrii. 
opinion is, that it is waste of voice and energy to dis- 
cuss any of these different issues while the law-making 
machinery remains in the hands of our masters. Let 
us constitute ourselves as law-makers; then we can en- 
act these different principles into laws, and if any of 
them proves to be injurious, or objectionable to the 
majority of the people, it can immediately be repealed 
and other laws enacted in its place. iS'o machine was 
ever invented, that did not leave room for improve- 
ments; the same it must be wdth our governmental 
machinery. ” 

As a result of the last speaker’s advice, resolutions 
were adopted as follows: 

1 — Fifty or 7)iore citizens shall hare the right to ini- 
tiate laws^ and put before the legislators to act upon. 

2 — No legislati/oe act shall heconve- a law until rati- 
fied by the jjeople on a vote. 

S — Any Legislator., or other public servant., who vio- 
lates his yjleiige^ m' neglects to faihtfully perform his 
dutie-., or acts conHary to thv will of the people., may 
at any time be recalled by his resjjective constituemy ., 
a 7 id all kis dishonest public acts revoked. 


162 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


The subsidized press ridiculed the meeting and reso- 
lutions, and denounced the whole as being anarchic, 
revolutionary, unconstitutional, etc. But they were 
rebuked for their villainous interpretation; that anar- 
chy and revolution did not mean peaceful movements, 
but ridicule of the peace, and urging on of disturbance, 
same as the press — the tool of the anarchists — was 
always doing; hence the words fitted the mouth that 
uttered them. 

Objections and ridicule were no impediments to the 
progress of reform, nor food for the hungry. The li- 
on had been wounded. In defiance of all protests and 
declarations by plutocracy, the people elected their 
own governor, and the majority of the legislators. 

The corporate aristocracy arrayed the government’s 
military force, besides enlisting the whole licentious 
element of the country as volunteers, to openly fight 
against the new administration elect. After a strug- 
gling battle, wickedness was subdued, by the strong 
arm of justice; thus ended the aristocracy. “He that 
taketh up the sword shall perish by the sword.” 

A new constitution was adopted, which was very 
brief, and read something as follows: 

“Every individual to have equal and inalien- 
able RIGHT TO LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF 

happiness.’' 

The following were the first laws passed by the new 
legislature, and ratilied by the people: 

§ 1. Every individual shall have free access to all 
opportunities nf nature. 

§ 2. No person or persons shail have the right to 
take from another person or persons the fruits of their 


163 


rilE LIGHT OF EDEN 

^exertions under any pretense whatsoever, 'exept it be 
voluntary gift of him to whom such things rightfully 
belongs. 

§ 3. From this day, the full rental value of land' — all 
ground-rent — shall belong to the community, 

§ 4. The government shall have the sole and absolute 
right to issue money. Such money to be made a legal 
tender for all debts whatsoever, and receivable by the 
government for ground -rents and royalties, and in ex- 
<change for produce. No money shall be paid out by 
the government exept for service rendered or in ex^ 
change for the products of labor. 

§ 5. All inventions shall hencefort be common prop- 
erty. The inventor of any useful invention to be 
justly rewarded by the government, for his own effort. 

6. The government shall build and operate its own 
railroads and telegraph lines for the benefit of all the 
people, same as the public highways. 

Speculation on the necessities of life shall no longer 
be tolerated. The commerce of the country to be con- 
ducted by the government, in concert with the opera- 
tion of the railroads. 

AU kinds of arguments and dissatisfactions were 
expressd by several individuals, mostly from the upper 
ten class, conserning the new' laws. 

Some said: “Tax nothing but the ground, which 
means to put the whole burden of taxation on the poor 
farmer, who owns the most land. Money without in- 
trinsic value — only worth the paper it is printed on.’^ 

However, they were passed and ratified by a two 
third vote of the people. 

After the new laws had been in force for about three 


164 


THE LIGHT OF EDEH 


months, loud expressions of dissatisfaction were heard. 
The murmurers, however, were among the few; not as 
formerly, nearly all the people complained. I decided 
to name a day, for all who had 'any grievances to come 
before me and make complaints; which 1 proposed to 
speedily redress. 


CHAPTER XXVI. 

first visitor, who had succeeded in squeezing 
It/tL himself through the pressing crowd, was a 
man having all the appearances of a tramp. 

"T have come boss,” he said, “for my share of the 
division.’- 

“Explain yourself,” I replied, “what division do you 
refer to?’’ 

“Well, I mean my share of the wealth.” 

“But there is to be no division of any wealth.” 

“How can I have equal opportunities witii a lan(’- 
lord and a millionair, when they possess all the wealth 
and 1 have none?” 

“As to millionairs, you will find they have become 
very scarce. You have equal opportunities with any 
landlord. For every cent that accrues to them by vir- 
tue of the mere ownership of land, they have to hand 
it over to the government, as ground-rent. The real 
owner, therefore, is the government, of which you elf 
and landlords are equal citizens; hence, eve.y individu- 
al shares equal benefits.” 

“When can I call around for my share of the rent?” 

“You do not quite understand what I mean. Your 


THE LIGHT OP UDEN 106 

share of the ^^round-rent is appropriated towards pub- 
lic institutions.” 

‘‘But I understood, that every individual should have 
free access to all the opportunities of nature.” 

“Oh if that’s all you want, you can easily be sup- 
plied. If you look over the Bulletin you will find it 
full of ‘lands to let’, so you can select a piece of land, 
upon which you may labor to the limit of your wdll 
and ability.” 

“Oh, that’s fine talk; if I have to rent land and work 
like a slave for my subsistence, what benefit is there in 
your new system of oovernment ?” 

“All possible benefit,” I replied. “If you wish to 
occup3" lands already improved, the owner is entitled 
to the rent of such improvements only, the rent accru- 
ing from the ground itself, all belongs to the govern- 
ment. Such ground-rent is indirectly returned to 3^ou, 
in the wa}^ of free ])u})lic institutions, such as free 
transportation, free distri)>ution of your ])roducts, etc. 
Of unimproved land, you can pick and take any vacant 
piece you choose, subject to pavdng the annual rent to 
the government. ” 

“And would it be mine then?” he said. 

“Yours as long as 3'ou pay the taxes for it. Your 
children’s after vou, or to whomsoever you ma^^ choose 
to transfer your right to )K»ssession. Of course, when 
you cease paying \'our yearl\^ taxes, you ha\ e no more 
right to possession than any other man.” 

“Oh I shall simj)!}^ let it to tenants at a higher rate, 
and so at last make a comforta}>le living. It is right 
that a workingman should liave his turn sometime.” 

“You are misappreheiuled,” I interrupted. ‘‘If 3^ou 


m 


THE LIGHT OF JFDEN 


can let the land at a higher rent than what you are 
paying to the government, this will show that its rent- 
al value is what you can rent it at, and you will still 
have to hand over to the government such additional 
rent; as the tax is not a tixed sum, but all what land 
will rent for outside of the improvements. If you 
perform any imjn-ovements on the land the rent for 
such will be yours. ^ 

“What good is the land to me then?’’ he said; in a 
sarcastic voice. ‘^‘So this is the kind of redress I get; 
and that’s the kind of workingman’s friend you are.” 

“A workingman’s friend is just what I am, but not 
a friend of those who whish to live on the fruits of 
other’s labor. You have now every inducement offered 
to become a workingman, if you really wish to work.” 

“But I don’t wish to work, I rather prefer to beg.” 

“Then I fear you will starve. As long as people 
were in want of the necessaries of life, and from n» 
fault of their own, there were always generous people 
who were willing to assist their unfortunate brethren. 
Everybody knows now, that whoever is willing to 
work and earn a comfortable living can do so, equally 
with every other man. Under these circumstances, 
no one will support idlers. Some few, there are help- 
less and friendless victims of former social conditions. 
To those we have granted pensions, to enable them to 
live like human annimals, not as state pau])ers,” 

“All right< then you can grant me a pension,” 

“Not unless you are helpless.” 

“No, I am not helpless, but Here a deep 

sigh followed, ‘Then there is no alternative; I must 
either work or starve. 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


167 


“I can see through your he continued. “Con- 

ditions made a vagrant out of me, and you are now 
employing these drastic remedies as antidotes to make 
me honest again. Your plan is good, and I shall try 
to retrieve my lost dignity and manhood, and become 
as good a citizen as I might have been had society but 
allowed me to.” 

Thus my lirst visitor was disposed of. 


CHAPTER XXVII. 

conversation with the tramp had a salutary 
effect on many, for as he left, a large number 
of those who were waiting their turn, left with 
him, evidently pleased with the information. 

Here a well dressed and very polished gentleman, 
wearing a silk hat, stepped forward. He gave himself 
the title of a merchant. 

“Sir,” he said, in an ironical tone, “my business is 
ruined, and 1 demand restitution! You have estab- 
lished government warehouses in every corner of the 
country, and you add no margin as profit on the goods, 
but sell at the same market (quotations as you buy; con- 
sequently all the people patronizes the government. 
1 have to j)ay the full market price for my goods, the 
same as the government, and how can I sell for the 
same price as 1 buy ? It will leave me no ])rotit, and 
nothing for my store-rent nor clerk-hire. I am a hard 
workingman, and have been all my life, and after 
lighting the battle for so many years, have succeeded 
in accumulating considerable property, in the way of 


168 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


store-buildings and valuable real estate. What am I 
to do now? I cannot rent my business buildings, nor 
continue my business as a merchant.’' 

'‘You seem to be one of the fortunate class, in hav- 
ing accumulated so much wealth,” I replied. “You 
have formerly lived in luxury on the fruits of other 
men’s labor. Our new social system is founded upon 
this motto: ‘If any will not work neither shalt he eat’. 
Consequently, you will henceforth have to live by your 
own labor, same as honest people have to do.” 

“But, I cannot go raising potatoes, wheat or cotton, 
nor do any other kind of hard work, because I am not 
used to it. Furthermore, I am not going to work, 1 
have accumulated enough pro[)erty to last me while I 
live, and my children after me. You cannot take my 
land away from me.” 

“Why! 1 don’t intend to take the land away from 
you. As long as you i)ay the ground-rent to the gov- 
ernment you hold possession, when you cease paying 
such rent and the improvements, if you have any there- 
on, ai'e absorbed by it, the land belongs to the govern- 
ment.” 

“But, the land is mine, and it is indncipally the 
ground-rent I shall henceforth depend upon for my 
living. ” 

“Then if yourself don’t labor, will it not be living 
of the fruits of others’ toil? same as when you were 
selling goods at a handsome proht, which enabled you 
accumulate all this wealth, together with a luxurious 
living.” 

“You mean then to confiscate my land too?” he said 
indignantly. 




THE LIGHT OF EDliN 


169 


‘‘No, certainly not! To conrtscate means to take 
away. The object is not to take the land awa}^ from 
the people, but to open it up to them; since without 
access to it they cannot live. You can keep all your 
land as long as you pay the yearly rental, but it will 
be unprofitable for you to keep land oat of use.” 

“Well, it will be no benefit to me to rent it to ten- 
ants and hand all the rent over to the government.” 

“Oh if you have imi)rovements upon it, you are en- 
titled to the rent accruing from such.” 

“Then” said he, “I can live o f the fruits of others’ 
toil, by receiving rents for the imi)rovcments.” Here 
a grim smile went over the applicant’s face — he evi- 
dently thought he had me cornered. 

“You can live off the fruits of past labor; although 
it may be illgotten goods, through the peoi)le’s gener- 
ousity you are allowed to retain it. But these impro- 
vements must be kept in re[)air and sometime re[)laced 
by new ones, such as buildings etc.; thus, what you 
receive in rent will probabls' no more than cover the 
expenses of repairs and replacement.” 

“Oh, your svttem has made a poor man out of me!” 
he exclaimed. ‘4^efore your administration took the 
helm of the government 1 could have sold my houses, 
lands, and stock of goods, for over a million dollars.” 

“You can still dispose of your houses and the stock 
of goods as best you can.” 

“Yes, but 1 would get nothing for my land.” 

“No, but you cani buy some more for the same 
price,” I replied. “And your posterity need not toil 
and scratch for years before they are allowed to have a 
home in their own native land, in case your business 


170 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


should fail and you should become a poor man.” 

These last remarks seemed to effect him.. 

“That’s enough sir!” he interrupted. “I have learn- 
ed the truth at last. Only a few months ago my cred- 
itors came very near closing down on me and taking 
everything 1 possessed, land and all. I have been a 
blockhead and given you all this trouble for nothing. 
What a stupid-head actually; wanted to keep up land 
monopoly, and speculation in the necessaries of life, 
and never realized, that if ke))t up, any little mistake 
of my own would land my posterity in perpetual po- 
verty. I am more than satisffed with the change. 

“Good day sir!” 


CHAPTER XXVIII 

•EXT 1 was besieged by a delegation of the square 
top brigade. They were very boisterous, and 
gave me the impression that they were going 
to overawe me and frighten me into submission. 

“We have come,” began the spokesman, in a very 
serious voice, “to demand the instant repeal of these 
disastrous laws which are threatening to ruin the count- 
ry. We have lost everything we possessed, and shall 
no longer submit to such nefarious practice.” 

Here I interrupted, reminding them that 1 was not 
there either for to repeal or enact laws. That they 
were free to place before me their com[)laint, and ex- 
pect redress, if they could make out a good case. But 
as the laws had been enacted and rati lied by the people 
they were not allowed to disobey tliem as they were. 


171 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

‘‘Now what’s your complaint I demanded, 

“We wish to inform you, that since the new admin- 
istration entered upon duty, capital to the extent of 
billions of dollars has been destroyed, and unless these 
disastrous laws are speedily repealed, bankruptcy is 
staring the nation in the face.” 

This statement somewhat puzzled me, as it was my 
first information about such perilous conditions. So I 
simply said: 

“Will you please state who you are, and what kind 
of capital has been destroyed.” 

The spokesman then explained, that those present 
were directors of several railway companies and capi- 
talists in general. “In the first place,” said he, “you 
have taken our franchises away from us, and built rail- 
way lines in opposition to ours, which you are opera- 
ting free of direct charge; then you have provided 
employment at high wages for all who are willing to 
work; hence our employees demand exorbitant wages. 
What will we do with our railroads now? we cannot 
afford to operate them for nothing, and by having them 
lie idle they are utter valueless.” 

Here a heavy set, broad shouldered gentleman, step- 
ped forwards and fixed his eyes upon me. He wore 
several glittering idols about his person; however, he 
had no ring in hrs nose. 

“I hear you are very fond of facts,” he said. “Here 
tlien are some cold facts for you to digest.” As he 
showed me two copies of stock exchange quotations, 
and told me to note the difference in them. 

On one 1 read: “N. C. R. R. prefered stock $120,00, 
common stock $60,00; market active.” On the other 1 


172 


THE LIGHT OF EDEX 

read: “N. C. R. R. prefered stock ^1,20, common 
stock $00, market dead.” These were the general runs 
of changes in the quotations, some more and some less. 

‘‘Are you convinced now that we are putting facts 
before you?” he added. 

“Most astonishing facts they are,” I replied. At the 
same time thinking. “Good medicines do- their work 
well.” 

‘•Within the last few months,” said he, “over ten 
billions dollars of eapital have been destroyed. ” 

“Great heavens!” I exclaimed. “Can it be possible?” 

“Over ten billions dollars,” he repeated. “I am 
prepared to make good my statement.” 

“Oh, 1 don’t doubt your word,” I replied. “But 
will you please tell me how it has all happened.” 

“If you will come to my office, I will show you a 
whole vault full of what was once most valuable stock, 
but which is now so much waste paper.” 

“Why! how is that^ Have the moths, rats or mice ' 
got into them?” 

“That sir, is caused by the blight of your destructive 
government,” he said, with great anger. 

“But how could the government have done anything 
to destroy goods locked up in your vaults. I myself 
have nearly a hundred heads of stock running wild up- 
on ni}^ farm, and no blight and canker have destroyed 
any of them. I should think they would be perfectly 
safe if they were locked up in burglar proof vaults.” 

*T do really believe that you are utter ignorant of 
what stock means,” he said indignantly. “I am not 
speaking of life stock, but of shares. Have I not 
shown you that the shares of the N. C. R. R. have 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


173' 


come down from $120,00 a share for prefered stock to 
$1,20, a fall of 99 [>er cent; and the common stock 
from $60,00 a share to nothin or.-’ 

“Oh, you are speaking of dead stock. Perhaps they 
are not worth any more.” 1 suggested. 

“No, not while we are plundered in this outrageous 
manner. For that sir is the cause of this tremeudous 
fall, that we have been plundered, and that with the 
sanction of your authority too.” 

Here I sternly rebuked the speaker, and warned him 
against using such disrespectful language. 

“What you have been plundered of,” I continued, “is 
the right to plunder others. As to the destruction of 
capital, as you pretend, that is simply the abrogation 
of the lien on the future production. Your railroads, 
buildings, cars and all are just as good as ever, not a 
solitary thing has been destroyed. Those paper slips, 
which you call ‘stocks’, are just as perfect as ever they 
were; and with proper care, and in burglar proof 
vaults, they will keep that way for many years.” 

“But your government has made waste- pa[)er out of 
them,” interrupted the spokesman of the brigade. 

“The government has done nothing one way or the 
other towards your ‘stock’, or waste-i)aper as you now 
call it. Your capital was simply the power to absorb 
the production of your fellow men. We now have 
a statutory law, that no person or persons shall have 
the righ to take from another person or persons the 
fruits of their exertions under any pretence whatso- 
ever, exept it be voluntary gift of him to whom such 
things rightfully belongs; hence, that which you call 
‘capital’ is automatically blighted. 


174 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


^‘Your petition is dismissed. You have been robbing 
the people this many long years, and lived in luxury or 
other’s 'toil. You know now that slavery is abolished 
and this cunning practice is no longer tolerated; to re- 
lieve you of your trouble, I offer to buy your railroads 
on behalf of the government at present valuations.” 

“That would be dire injustice,” replied the spokes- 
man. “These gentlemen represent several billion 
dollars worth of railroad properties, which have been 
depreciated to almost nothing through the manipula- 
tions of the government; and you now demand of them 
to surrender valuable property for jaw-bone or a song. 
I myself own one half interest in a railroad which 
cost over /fifty millions dollar , but according to the 
present stock quotations it is worth only half a million 
dollars. 1 could not be justified in parting with prop- 
erty that cost me twentyfive millons for only a quarter 
of a million.” 

“How many years have you been part owner of the 
road?” I asked. 

“About twenty years,” was the reply. 

“What average yearly dividend did you receive?” 

“Eight per cent,” he answered, “until these last 
three months, when the road has lost instead of earned 
money, which is the cause to this tremendous fall in 
the stock.” 

“But then you have received as dividend over thirty- 
seven millions dollars, giving you a handsome profit of 
twelve millions, after having your investment all 
returned. ” 

“Yes! yes! but the road is fully as good as ever it 
was; for that reason it ought to be fully as valuable.” 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


176 


“But, to analyze the matter,” said I. “What consti- 
tutes the sto^ik value of the road, or what interest do 
you represent?” 

“Why! the money I invested, of course.” 

“Ti;en alter you have all your investments returned 
together with a handsome jjrolit, your representative 
share is nothing.” 

“You confuse me,” he said, with great indignation. 

“1 take your own theory for it,” 1 replied. “But, if 
you will allow me to, I will explain what share you re- 
present, also what constitutes its cost and stock value. 

“Your money, which you pretend to be of such 
importance is nothing more than a medium for adjust- 
ment between the various kinds of laborers, such as 
farm, mine, factory and railroad laborers. Ihe miner 
produces the coal, iron-ore and other minerals; other 
laborers work, out the lumber; others transport the 
raw materials to the furnaces mills and factories; here 
other laborers — not ca|)italists — manufacture these 
various raw materials into engines, cars, rails, sleepers, 
etc.; other laborers make the roadbed and places the 
whole thing in mechanical order; and again other la- 
borers — not cai)italists — operate the road.” 

“Yes, but did you ever consider that it takes capital 
to pay for all these things,” he interrupted. 

“A medinm for adjusting differences in the accounts 
between the laborers, you mean — not capital. 

‘■'■You are now convinced that it is all made by labor. 
We will next learn who pays for it. The farm laborer 
produces food, and raw materials for clothing, by 
which this chain of workmen are clothed and fed. 
The farmer rides, and sends his produce over the lines 


THE LIGHT OF EDEJS 


17 a 

to these various mechanical and other laborers; and 
pays transportation charges and fare, and that with 
the same money as was paid for its construction. iS'ovv 
this exchange medium has made a complete circuit viz; 
From the stockholder to the railroad laborers, from 
the railroad laborers to the factory laborers, from the 
factory laborers to the farmers, and from the farmers 
to the stockholders — its starting place. Thus the roads 
are tinally paid for by the laborers — by those through 
who ^ cO-operative efforts it was built.” 

‘‘But this road could not have been built without 
capital or money!” declared the complainant. 

“You are still ignorant of what capital means,” said 
I. “Labor is' the essential part; a medium of ex- 
change is a labor-saving device; and capital is a total 
useless and injurious thing— something which is only 
imaginary (nothing real). 

“^ow where does your capitalists’ share come in^ 
You are no material part either of the construction 
nor operation of a railroad or anything else. This 
chain of laborers, through their own co-operative ef- 
forts, can perform any improvements independent of 
your caidtal, simply by taking a dollar’s worth of j a- 
per and make into checks, to circulate as a medium 
to facilitate exchange, if you have performed no 
labor in the construction of the road you re[)resent no 
interest therein, exept through the laborer’s generosity. 

“The stock value of the road is the speculation on 
its future earnings — speculation on the dividend or ab- 
sorbtion of the future products of labor.” 

‘‘We did not come here to theorize!” declared the 
s[)okesman, in a haughty voice. “It is simply thi^; 


i77 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

We cannot afford to operate our railroads for nothing; 
and we now demand ^’edress!” 

“Then cease operating them, I am, willing to take 
thefil off your hands and pay for them according to the 
present market quotations^ otherwise I tan sooii pxo* 
vide the people with new railway lines; I have plenty 
of willing hands, and nature’^ storehouse is now open.” 

“And pay for them with paper slips I suppose, such 
as you call ‘money\ We sir, have paid gold for these 
roads; and we now demand money as valuable as what 
we paid. We want gold coins, or money redeemable 
in gold.” 

“We don^t coin gold at present,” I answered, “but 
if it is simply gold you want you can have it. All our 
money is redeemable, not in gold alone, but in all kind^ 
of commodities, such as silver, copper, iron, lead, gold, 
wheat, cotton, meat, etc. Now what do you desired 
Gold only, or certificates redeemable in all kinds of 
commodities, including gold?” 

After a brief consultation among themselves, 1 re- 
ceived the following answer: 

“We have no other option but to accept; and we pre- 
fer the paper certificates, which being the most readily 
exchangeable medium.” 

Thus they voluntarily surrendered what they had 
heretofore considered of such great value to them; and 
the improved highways of the country became proper- 
ty of the nation. 


CHAPTER XXIX 

W AITING for an opportunity to present their 
claims, was a legation of a dozen or more of 
the long-tail-coat brigands, now rushing into 
my office. Foremost of them was the one who had the 
broadest phylactery, and whom 1 therefore regarded 
as their chief; with a solemn face he said: 

“I protest against your plundering land owners and 
capitalists sir. What could we do without them? 
People would actually starve to death. We sir, repre- 
sent the holy spirit, and are here for to look after the 

interest of people’s souls. ” 

"Here I interrupted the speaker, and demanded of 
him to use more respectful language. “But if you are 
here in the interest of people’s souls,” said 1, “why do 
you take such interest in the worldly goods? The souls 
of landlords can surely not take the land with them to 
heaven; nor can the souls of money-lords take their 
money with them to heaven.” 

“You are too worldly-minded my son!” said the 
bishop, in a stern voice. “You think of people’s soles 
before you think of their souls. ” 

“Because,” said I, “the soles are the foundation for 
the souls, and if there is no resting ground for the 
soles, the souls cannot healthily develop. The same 
God who created the souls, did He not also create the 
soles?'^ And if so. He must have created a resting place 
for them — not only for the landlords’ and ca[)italist’s. ” 
“But this is no excuse for plundering people of their 

- m- 


THE LTGUT OF EDEN 


179 


capital, as your ^overnnjent has done.” 

Again I rebuked the speaker, and warned him a- 
gainst using such disreputable language. ‘'What they 
have been plundered of is the right to rob others. 
They have been robbing the producers of the fruits of 
their toil these many long years^ and that nefarious 
practice is now put to an end.” 

“My son!” said the bishop, solemnly, “you cannot 
right past wrongs by committing new ones.” 

“Great Heavens!” 1 exclaimed. “Do you call it 
wrong to stop wrong doings 

“But, your government is interfering with ancient 
customs and institutions.” 

“You don^t intend to have us understand that the 
injuntion ‘Thou shalt not steal’, does not apply 
where theft can be shown to have been customary for 
centuries past, do 3^11?” 

“You are also likening landlords and capitalists with 
thieves. These gentlemen have their documents, which 
secures to them certain rights. God forbid that the 
nation should break its moral obligations.” 

“Morality indeed! Is there any morality in direct or 
indirect theft? But you argue more like a lawyer than 
a bishop. That is you are pleading moral it3^ as a jus* 
tification for the perpetuation of the grossest of all 
immoralities.’’ 

“You travesty the bible.” 

“No m3'^ dear man, you are the one who travest}’^ it. 
Does it not read: ‘The Earth is the Lord’s and the 
fullness thereof’ — not the landlords’. Show me a 
parchment signed by this Lord, where these capitalist^, 
as you are pleading morality for, own or hava exclu- 


180 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

sive ri^^ht to one square inch of the soil. Again it 
reads: ‘He that taketh away his nighbor’s living slay- 
eth him; and he that de|raudeth the laborer pf his hire 
is a blood-shedder !’ After God had created , man, . did 
he not say to him, ‘Behold, 1 haye given ^te y^ou every 
herb bearing seed, to you it shall be for meat. Have 
dominion over the lish of the sea, and over, the fowls, 
of the air, and over the cattle, and qmr all the emdli,, 
and over every creeping thing that cree pet h . upon thq 
earth.’ / , . 

“All of these things are tree gifts of God to all • 
his creatures in common. Every soul is born into this 
world naked and helpless, but anticipating its advent 
and wants, a benevolent Creator has from the morning 
of creation supplied an abundance to satisfy all the 
needs and luxuries of His creatures; and if any human 
annimal is not in the full enjoyment of all that is nec- 
essary for his bodily wants, it is because he has been 
deprived of his just inheritance by the hands of legal 
robbers.” 

‘^But the Lord you speak of says: ‘Thou shalt not 
covet’,” interrupted the bishop. 

Here a tall man with a sunburnt face rushed for- 
ward, and thrust his list up under the bishop\s face, 
and made this declamation: 

‘‘That’s me bishop. I am covetous, and 1 covet a 
whole loaf for ©very one of my children. Each of 
them has been sent by God and everyone has a mouth; 
and you have repeatedly told me that God never sends 
•i iiiouth but what he sends a loaf. I now demand de- 
li \ cry of what has been sent for my children. 1 covet 
what is theirs, and will no longer stand by and see 


181 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

them starving, and give them cause to curse the hour 
that made them see the light of life, while they are 
legally robbed of their gifts from God, with the saiic- 
tion of the church. 

“You are the seed to superstition and ignorance, 
which makes corruption possible, and corruption is the 
cause to poverty, and jx)verty breeds crimes; hence, 
you are a father of crimes.” 

“Oh ‘ what wicked language!” expostulated the bish- 
op. “See there now the fruits of your doings. But, 
let us be guided by common sense and reason. We 
must take the bad things with the good. Only last 
Christmas the capitalists of Centerville gave the poor 
a free dinner; they also make sjwntanous donations to 
the mission and the church.” 

“The poor would not have been [>oor, and in need of 
their degrading charity, had they not first been robbed 
of the fruits of heir toil. - The capitalists were ac- 
tually kind in giving their drudges a square meal 
one day in the year. You also think it is wise to. re- 
mind the people of the fact that the capitalists are 
sowing the seed to superstition and ignorance — to the 
degradation of the producing masses — in the way of 
making donations to the church, mission and charily.” 

“You have no regard for the bible or Christianity, 
my son!” said the bishop. ”He that giveth to the j)oor 
shall reap ten fold.” 

”Yes^ but ‘as ye so west shall ye reap V’ I answered. 
“Ye cannot sow thistle and reap wheat, my good, man. 
When you speak of Christianity you must not get con- 
fused on churchianity, as the two are opponents to each 
other, What is nieant by Christianity ? Is it not the 


182 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


same doctrine that Christ taught? Did he not teach 
the universal brotherhood of man ? 

“You also think you can shield ^mur wickedness be- 
hind the cloak of Christianity, Then you make serious 
miscalculations my good manl Was not Christ mar-' 
tyred and crucified through the influence of the church, 
and the Glergyelement>— such men as you are. Christ 
was not a hireling of the rich and paid a handsome sa- 
lary. He was pursued and hunted to death by the 
rich — the legal robbers. If Christ were alive today, 
you would be the first man to use your influence to 
have him cmcified, as a proof of which, I will point to 
you, that you and your ilk used all your influence in 
attemting to crush and martyr those honest, energetic, 
intelligent reformers, who used their utmost to bring 
to real practice the same doctrine that Christ taught. 
These reformes are the numerous Christs of our day; 
they possess the spirit of Christ. They have now ac-' 
oomplished their aims and objects — that is the secopd 
coming of Christ, which you are preaching to the 
people under mysterious pretences, in order to work 
upon their superstitious ignorance. You are wolves 
in sheepskin, seeking whom you may devour.” 

At the conclusion of the last sentence, the delegation 
with hanging heads, left the room without uttering an- 
other word in rebuke. As they slank past the crowd 
they were cheered with “a — m-e-nI” 


CHAPTER XXX 

B efore I had time to consider the almost magic 
disappearance of the clergy brigade, I was ac- 
costed by a short, heavy set, and very energetic 
looking man. 

“1 am sorry to interrupt you,^’ he commenced, “but 
your time may not be wasted in listening to my advice. 

“I am the president of the N. C. H. A. and the sec- 
retary of the N. B. A. and I am director of a dozen 
other financial associations. I represent the greater 
f)ortion of the capital of the country. Your govern- 
ment has furnished the people with an abundance of 
money by which to facilitate trade and exchange, 
which has entirely ruined the money market, as far as 
interest is concerned. What are we to do with our 
money now? Will you have it as a loan on behalf of 
the government?’’ 

‘‘Why should the government borrow and pay usury 
for money?” I asked, “when the same machinery by 
which yours was made, is yet in good condition to 
make plenty more. ” 

“Yes, of them cursed, worthless legal tender devils 
I suppose,” he said indignantly, “such as we were 
compelled to accept in iiayment for valuable interest- 
drawing mortgages and government bonds.” 

“In what way is your money worthless?” I asked. 
“Is it countertit, or can’t you exchange it for anything 
of real value?” 

“Ko-o, you don’t undei’stand; we can get nothing 
for the use of it — no interest — and what good is the 

- 183 - 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


money to us then? I have al)out $50,000 myself^ winch 
was all I realized out of about forty millions dollars 
worth of securities. My expences are about $50 a d^y, 
:and if 1 should live altogether on niy money, my;^ea- 
pital would soon vanish, and what \vill I do then?’’ 

• Work, same as honest people have to do)” 1 re])lied, 
witii a smile. 

V'And you are actually bold emnig-h to tell nie that I 
shall be compelled to work too !” he said, indij 2 :nantly. 
‘‘Has this country virtually turned into anarchy-after 
alL 1 appeal to the supreme povveir of the world for 
redress,” 

“Redress,” 1 repeated, satirically. ‘^‘^W hat supreme 
power will grant y^m a moral right to live without 
labor t My good sir! under our immoral system you 
\yere constantly clamoring that the people Should be 
satistied with the government as it Was— j^bod or bad. 
You denounced as ‘calamity-howlers’ and ‘anarehkts^ 
those of our fellow citizens who audaciously exposed 
the corruption in the government', and' attempted to 
educate the people on the matter. Now sir! we have a 
government with justice for all, and Special privileges 
to none. Now you are the ones who are grumbling 
against the government— ^not against corripition -and 
immorality, but against jurtice and Inorallty. -This 
shows positively that you are the calamitydiowlers and 
anarchists. I warn you to beware, and nO more at- 
tempt to force against the moral rights of man;” 

“Well, we had better leave the country at onccf’-’' he 
said^ unconcernedly, “and take all our capital with us, 
upon which the workers are depending, then you inay 
see what the residts will be.” 


185 


THE LI OUT OF EDEN 

•HTake what with yoii? Ydiir stocks and mortficages, 
which have been explained to me, are worthless.’^ r 
but oW capital.” ^ 

•“Weir, I ani simply trying to materialize what you 
^ ar8 ^[bing to take with you. The mines, rivers, air, 
^ ^sunshine, or perhaps the rain?’’ 

“1 am^b fool sirP’ 

‘^iJo, fiut'you are worse than a common fool, when 
ybu can’t answer siich a simple question,” i replied. ' 

“We own such things as railronds, docks; buildings, 
inills, etc., to which we have exclusive right.”* ' 

“W®t|, will you take these things out Of the country 
as they are, of take what old iron you can find conven- 
ient and employ labor to destroy the' isestl” ' 

You confuse me!” 

“Yes, you look rather rattled. But, maybe you will 
take such things as spades, ploughs, machines of per- 
haps the laborer’s muscles and’ brains?”' 

“No-o! But we own the most of the tbols and ma- 
chinery in the country; and if we withdfa# all of* these 
have you considered Vhat the con^equehCes would be?” 

“No, I have not; but nevertheless, 1 can imagine 
what would happen. You cannot take the laborer’s 
muscles and brains. Our tie I dsv forests and mines' are 
how open to the people, and they would soon niake as 
many more as niay be required; Biit as practical' men 
do you seriously propose to take SuCh things as half 
worn but' impleihents with youT” • 

He made no reply, and I ‘ ^siaw that he commenced to 
realize the hollowness of his threats'; so 1 asked him, if 
he had “et solved the problem as to what capital was? 


186 


THE LIOIIT OF EDEN 

“According to your argument,” he replied, ‘‘capital 
is only tools and machinery.” 

“That is the only real capital,” said I. “But the 
capital you have heretofore depended upon for yo\ir 
living was a lien on the future products of labor; 
hence through the abrogatipn of such lien your capital 
is blighted. By applying muscle and brains, tools and 
machinery to the mother P^arth, we can produce any 
and all things to satisfy man’s wants and needs; what 
other capital is necessesary?” 

“But, what provisions have you for a man if he is 
unable to work ^’ he asked. 

“People who are physically or mentally disabled we 
give a monthly pension,” 1 answered. 

“Then you will be com {veiled to grant me a pen- 
sion,” he said, determinately. 

“But you don’t look disabled.” 

“No-o, but-, 1 cannot work because I am not used 
to it; furthermore I am not going to work.” 

“Then I fear you will starve.” 

“Whatl and would you actually let an honest citizen 
starve?” 

“If you choose to, why not? I fail to see what right 
I have to interfer with your liberties. 

“The position is simply this: The only loss we shall 
sustain by your leaving the country is that of your 
own presence; and since you don’t choose to work, it 
would be a blessing to society to be rid of such as 
you. So all I can say to you, is: 

“Good riddance!” 

“Good riddance!” was echoed by thousands of voices 
as the mighty capitalists emigrated. 

— Sam Armsi/rong, 


CHAPTER XXXI. 


•HILE at school I occupied my leisure time in 
studying the political history of the now 
blessed republic. After learning the full 
particulars about the social revolution, which had tak- 
en place in the barbarian days — as just quoted— I felt 
more anxiety for the safety of my native land (Ameri- 
ca) than ever before — which is still practicing the old 
barbarous system. 

Shortly after I was through with my course at school 
there was a grand wedding at the Wicksby’s residence. 
You may readily understand who were the happy prin- 
cipals. A galore or ball was had at the ward building, 
in which all present merried themselves, as usual on 
such occasions. Part of the time being devoted to en- 
thusiastic speeches, treating on the American social 
conditions. At the close of the festivet}’ Mr. Parker, 
city mayor of Carterville, made the following anounce- 
ment: 

“The young American, Jim Richard, who is the 
principal in this wedding party today, is intending to 
undertake the almost insurmountable task, of going to 


America to inculcate reform in the American social 
conditions. 

“Fellow brethren! It is our duty as humane citizens 
to give our hearty support in forwarding the progress 
of civilization among all barbarous tribes. 

“His young wife, formerly Adella Wicksby, one of 
our handsomest maidens, will accompany him on his 
adventuresome journey.” 


- 187 - 


188 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 


The crowd cheered repeatedly as Mr. Parker closed 

the anoancer^^nt,. 

Liberal donations were made by the government and 
by sevei’al individuals, sufficient to fit out one of ; the 
V finest and staunchest aerial vessels that ever penetrated 
' the .atmosphere. AH preparations being made, we 
.were ready to venture on the journey. Our white- 
winged craft bore the name ‘‘Intelligence” on . its 
bow' and stern. I made a special endeavor to secure a 
I large quantity of ; diamonds, which were here plentiful 
and of no real value. An expert aerial navigator wras 
employed as ca[)tain. i : : 

Considerable time was spent in searching different 
sections of the sphere for the isle of gold. But our 
cruise \!i^as successful. The gloomy, mountain with its 
hidden treasure was discovered early one morning; and 
our hearts were full of joy. 

Considerable difficulty .w:as experienced in transport- 
ing the precious metal aboard our. craft, which caused 
some delay. rHowevery in the evenin^~after dark— ron 
the fourteenth day of our aerial journey, we landed in 
New ¥ork U. S. A. We safely flew over the protec- 
tion wall; thus, escaped seizure or paying duty on our 
diamonds. ; Here we secreted; our valualiles in a burg- 
lar proof vaulh h'bich .we hired, for,, this ])urpose. 

On arriving in this great metropolis, our fenimine 
companions were confronted with afe^toiiishing curiosi- 
ties in seeing those tall buildings, which naturally made 
them question if people w:ere fond of ! crowding tpgeth- 
• er in, such close /quarters'^ But a still greater astonish- 
> ment was met wdth, when they observed the contrast 
of half naked and half starved people, and others dr®*' 


, . THE LIGHT OF EDEN 189 

•ed in th© grandest fashion and presenting a very 
prosperous appearance. i Here the question was asked; 
if those half naked and half starved looking people 
did not desire to work? To which I replied, that they 
were the workers, and the fashionable class thei idlers. 

Entering the sitting room of a prominent hotel one 
day, I picked up the morning paper and sat down for 
a quiet perusal of the news. Noticing its flashy head,-, 
lines on the front page, I questioned the hotel clerk if 
the paper was reliable? 

'‘Why, certanly sir!” was the reply, “we kee[) none 
but reliable papers. F urthermore,: this country is not- 
ed for its cxellent news[)aper facilities; its love of 
peace; its — ^ 

1 then began to read:“Blood flowing in Illinois; 
twenty^three men killed in Montana; flf teen killed in 
Pensylvania; the Texas troops tiro upon the enemy; 
the California millitia lay down their arms in presence 
of the enemy; governor Me Kinly order out Ohio 
troops; 250,000 miners on a strike; the miners in Colo- 
rado succeed in holding the fort; 1,000,000 railroad 
men on a strike.” 

“If this is true your country must be in war,” said I. 

“No— o, you see them ^Common— wealers.” 

1 went on reading the paper, and more I read more ^ 
got co nvinced that the handwriting on the wall that 
warned one ancient despot of his doom, could again be 
traced visibly enough to warn modern despotic govern- 
ments of their fate— that this is the beginnning of 
what ia certain to coihe. 

Next day I paid a visit to my home in Boston. On 
arriving there I brought a general surprise upon my 


190 THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

folks and friends, who naturally supposed 1 was lost. 
As a gratitude for my return home a social dinner was 
given by my parents. Many questions were propound- 
ed to me about my long absence, and I was called upon 
to make an address before the assemblage. 

On looking through the window as I arose from my 
seat I noticed a crowd of poorly dressed men standing 
on a corner hardly a block away. I commenced by 
asking this question: 

“Do you see that crowd over yonder ? and have you 
read the morning papers? These are all caused from 
conditions; while you are wining and feasting off 
the fruits of these people’s toil, they are freezing and 
starving, and being deprived of what is their own. 

“Heed the ancient warning; as history repeats itself! 

“ ‘The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebu- 
chadnezzar; and he was driven from men, and eat grass 
as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, 
till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his 
nails like birds’ claws.’ —Da/niel iv. 33. 

“ ‘Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thou- 
sand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. 

* * ^ They drank wine and praised the gods 

of gold^ and of silver'^ of hrass^ of iron^ of wood and 
of stone (under our bnodern’ system, these lords are 
known as capitalists and corporation kings). In the 
same hour came forth fingers of a man’s hand, and 
wrote over against the candlestick on the pliaster of 
the wall of the king’s palace; and the king saw the hand 
that wrote. * * * this is the writing that 

was written, iMENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 
This is the iiitcrqretation of tlie thing: MENE; God 


191 


THE LIGHT OF EDEN 

hath numbered thy kingdom and fi dshed it. TEKEL; 
Thou art weighed in the balances, and found wanting. 

* ^ * In that night was Belshazzar the king 

of the Chaldeans slain.’ — Daniel v. 1 — 30. 

^ i ^ X and there shall be a time of trouble, 
such as never was since there was a nation even to that 
same time: x % x x Many shall be purified, and 
made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wicked- 
ly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the 
wise shall understand.’ — Daniel xii. 1. 

“ ‘ Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers^ how can ye 
escape the damnation of hell?’ — Matt, xxiii 33. 

‘‘ ‘Go to now ye rich men, weep and howl for yom 
miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are 
corrupted and your garments are moth-eaten; your 
gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall 
be a witness against you; and shall eat your flesh as it 
were fire. * * * Behold the hire of the laborers 

who have reaped down your fields which is of you kept 
back by fraud crieth; and the cries of them which have 
reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Saba- 
oth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth and been 
wanton; ye have nourished your hearts as in a day of 
slaughter; ye have condemned and killed the just and 
he doth not resist you .’ — James v. 1-6, 

“It is hardly necessary to add comments on what I 
have just said, as the language used by the ancient phi- 
losophers is clear enough for anyone to comprehend. 
The actions of Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar, and 
their feasts, are frepuently repeated by our ‘modern’ 
despots (the enthroned corporation kings) but only in a 
more disguised and mysterious manner — shall theh‘ 


"’Jl. '' ' ■ ' ■ ■ ^ ^ ■■ 

192 THE LIGHT OF EDEN' 

efrvd he mysterious.. , ye sowest shall ye reap![ 

5 ‘The gods spoken of by Daniel are not absent in our 
‘advanced’ ciyilization. The numerous corporations 
and trusts, each represent, and worship, their special 
god, and the "'head' of the ‘family’ worships them alL 
“Beware ye! vfho iimr are great. The same fates as 
met the ancient desppts are near your doors!” 

- When I was through with my lecture, they declared 
that my brains were effected. I protested, saying that, 
they were the insane ones, that insanity was not phi- 
losophy but confusion. 

All philosophers are insane in the eyes of Pharisees, 
society vampires, and biased superstitious dupes. 

S.- The premium on old party corruptionists 
will be discontinued after ’96. 



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